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

Wednesday

16th Mar 2022

Ofsted: The schools most likely to be rated ‘good’
The likelihood of schools in different parts of the country consistently being rated as ‘good’ or better by Ofsted has been revealed by new research

Sunday

13th Mar 2022

Ofsted, exams, Covid and league tables: heads’ key concerns
DfE reforms, Ofsted inspections, the impact of Covid and the future of exams were among the big issues debated by heads at this year’s ASCL conference
Round, up, Ofsted, Covid

Saturday

12th Mar 2022

‘Ignore Ofsted’ social mobility tsar urges heads
Katharine Birbalsingh says she does not think Ofsted, ‘as an idea, is a force for good’
katharine birbalsingh social mobility tsar
Ofsted: Covid ‘fractured schools’ contract with parents’
Ofsted chief calls for action to boost school attendance – but Labour says the inspectorate is in need of reform
Amanda Spielman has said that Covid has fractured the social contract in education between parents and schools.

Wednesday

9th Mar 2022

Ofsted can have ‘most impact’ on early years, says Spielman
The watchdog’s chief inspector says its next 5-year plan will focus on early years
Ofsted, focus

Wednesday

2nd Mar 2022

Ofsted delays early career provider inspections
Inspections of ECF and NPQ providers have been put back by 12 months
blue sand timer on calendar

Thursday

24th Feb 2022

Ofsted rejects almost 1 in 5 Covid inspection deferral requests
Nearly a quarter of all school inspections were deferred in the first half of this term, according to new Ofsted statistics
Ofsted rejects almost 1 in 5 Covid inspection deferral requests

Tuesday

15th Feb 2022

DfE to shake up system for overseeing schools
A new department review warns of ‘internal friction’ and ‘lack of clarity’ in how the government manages schools
The DfE's oversight of schools is to undergo major changes from April.

Friday

11th Feb 2022

Ofsted gives schools breathing space on curriculum
In response to Covid disruption, the inspectorate extends the transition period for schools to develop their curriculum plans
Ofsted has extended the transitional period it is giving schools to develop curriculum plans because of ongoing Covid disruption.

Monday

7th Feb 2022

Successful schools ‘don’t tolerate’ persistent absence
Seven ways that schools can promote attendance in any setting, according to Ofsted
Ofsted has produced a new guide on how successful schools improve attendance.
Anxiety fuelling school absence, heads tell Ofsted
New Ofsted research reveals the reasons that headteachers cited for lower-than-normal school attendance last term
An Ofsted survey has found that Covid and anxiety have been the main drivers for higher than normal absence last term

Wednesday

2nd Feb 2022

Primaries can work together on curriculum, says Ofsted
Inspectorate says it does not expect subject leads in primary schools to be experts across multiple areas
Ofsted has produced a new blog setting out what primary school subject leads can expect from deep dives