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

5th Dec 2024

Extending report card consultation is not ‘off the table’, Ofsted chief says
Sir Martyn Oliver says Ofsted’s plans for new inspections have not yet been tested because it is about to launch a ‘genuine consultation’ rather than presenting a solution
Extending report card consultation is not ‘off the table’, Ofsted chief says
Ofsted 2023-24 annual report: everything you need to know
Sir Martyn Oliver’s first annual report highlights high absence, SEND pressures and pupils receiving an unorthodox education as major challenges
Sir Martyn Oliver's first annual report as Ofsted's chief inspector has been published today.

Tuesday

3rd Dec 2024

Scottish education bill ‘needs big changes’ for reforms to work
The Scottish government must ensure ‘strong accountability’ of the new bodies and a ‘more coherent vision’ for education reform, say MSPs
Scottish education bill needs 'substantial' change for reforms to work

Monday

2nd Dec 2024

Key adviser questions if Scottish inspectorate will be truly independent
Professor Ken Muir also says teachers should play a greater role in inspection – they do ‘the difficult shift in the classrooms’ and are ‘very aware’ of the issues
Key adviser questions if new inspectorate will be truly independent

Friday

29th Nov 2024

Ofsted board chair to step down next year
Dame Christine Ryan will continue as chair while a process to find her successor starts
Christine Ryan

Thursday

28th Nov 2024

Maths ‘repetitive, lacking challenge and disconnected from real life’
Scottish inspectorate’s review of maths also flags inconsistent CPD, staff shortages and ‘strain’ on teachers due to rising numbers of pupils with ASN
Maths ‘repetitive, lacking challenge and disconnected from real life’
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Wednesday

27th Nov 2024

Headteacher input ‘completely lost’ in inspection system
School leader tells conference ‘we need to get back to a point’ where heads are listened to on Ofsted processes
Headteacher input ‘completely lost’ in inspection system

Tuesday

26th Nov 2024

‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgements more than double in a year
Former inspector expresses ‘sadness’ for heads whose schools were inspected before the steep climb in top ratings
A+ grade

Monday

25th Nov 2024

‘Ruffle some feathers,’ Wilshaw tells Scottish inspectorate
The schools’ inspectorate should speak ‘truth to power’, former Ofsted chief inspector tells conference on the future of inspection in Scotland
‘Ruffle feathers’, Sir Michael Wilshaw advises Scottish inspectorate

Friday

22nd Nov 2024

Ombudsman wants to close SEND ‘accountability gap’ in schools
Local government ombudsman wants powers to investigate exclusions and how EHCPs are implemented in schools
Zipping up jacket

Wednesday

20th Nov 2024

Ofsted says it will not rate ‘individual’ teachers
Watchdog director also says new inspection framework may focus more on ‘statutory outcomes’ and that defining inclusion is ‘very tricky’
Picking fruit

Tuesday

19th Nov 2024

Wilshaw: Longer inspection needed if report card proposals go ahead
But former Ofsted chief backs a return to inspecting teaching as a separate category in school inspections
Sir Michael Wilshaw has said Ofsted inspections would need to be longer if it is to inspect schools across 10 areas.
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