Inspection

The latest news, analysis and opinion on inspections at schools in the UK and overseas, from updates to inspection frameworks and guidance on how to prepare

Thursday

24th Apr 2025

Ofsted plans ‘risk the health and wellbeing’ of school leaders
NAHT accuses the inspectorate of not assessing how its proposed changes to inspection could impact school staff workload
Ofsted plans risk the health and wellbeing of school leaders, a union has warned.

Wednesday

23rd Apr 2025

Ofsted’s inspection changes should be thrown out
Two former senior inspectors set out why, even with Ofsted admitting that its proposals need tweaking, the watchdog’s plans will not be fit for purpose
Rubbish being chucked out

Tuesday

22nd Apr 2025

Ofsted report cards ‘unfit for purpose’, finds ‘alternative’ consultation
Ofsted’s proposed changes to school inspection have been rejected by most of those who took part in a poll launched by two former inspectors
Ofsted's proposed changes to school inspection have been criticised in an 'alternative consultation'
Report card grading ‘needs simplifying’, admits Ofsted
Ofsted outlines potential changes to its controversial school inspection plans
Crowded telegraph pole

Monday

14th Apr 2025

Rise of primary teachers in secondary ‘undermines registration’
Scotland’s inspectorate should check that teachers are teaching at their registered level, says union that warns staff shortages are ‘blurring’ teacher registration categories
Secondary school teacher in classroom

Friday

11th Apr 2025

Gove and Spielman given seats in the House of Lords
Former education secretary Michael Gove and former Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman have been awarded peerages today after being nominated by the Conservatives
Michael Gove and Amanda Spielman have been given peerages today.

Friday

4th Apr 2025

RISE ‘duplication’ fear as most ‘stuck’ schools improve after trust move
ÌÇÐÄVlog’ findings show that RISE teams risk targeting schools that are already improving under new governance, trust leaders say
Female tennis player serving with two tennis balls
Exclusive

Thursday

3rd Apr 2025

New CEO appointed at Academy Transformation Trust
Mark McCourt has led professional development in maths teaching and has had a wide-ranging career in education
Mark McCourt has been appointed as the new CEO of Academy Transformation Trust.

Tuesday

1st Apr 2025

Ofsted chief rejects call for fewer inspection grades
In response to pressure to cut the proposed number of grades, Sir Martyn Oliver says he does not want schools to be told they have met a standard ‘and that’s good enough’
Sir Martyn Oliver has pushed back on calls for Ofsted to only award one of three grades.

Monday

31st Mar 2025

Giving ex-Ofsted chief a seat in Lords ‘is inappropriate’
Headteacher groups write to the House of Lords to voice concerns over the reported nomination of former chief inspector Amanda Spielman
Giving ex-Ofsted chief seat in Lords is ‘inappropriate’, heads warn

Thursday

27th Mar 2025

Ofsted backs heads who ban phones, says Oliver
Chief inspector tells parents that schools have the power to ban phones ‘and should ban them’
Sir Martyn Oliver says Ofsted will back heads who ban smartphones

Wednesday

26th Mar 2025

Ofsted parents’ survey on report cards ‘misses the point’
Headteachers’ leaders voice fears that Ofsted grades in planned new inspections will be unreliable as research shows parents would prefer report cards to current system
Ofsted's new survey showing parental support for report cards, misses the point heads have warned.