Ofsted handbooks updated

Ofsted have released updates to the following handbooks:

School inspection handbook

The school inspection handbook (updated 13 October 2017) provides guidance for inspecting schools under the common inspection framework, with a mythbuster document on common misconceptions.

Changes listed include:

• Changes to the Outcomes for pupils section reflecting changes to GCSE grades and data reports (a new IDSR)
• updates to Clarification for schools section and mythbuster document around myths and misunderstandings
• clarification of arrangements for meeting relevant members of the governance structure and inclusion of chief executives or equivalents in inspections of academies in multi-academy trusts
• and new content explaining what happens to schools that receive the ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’ judgements.

Handbook for short, monitoring and unannounced behaviour school inspections

The handbook for short, monitoring and unannounced behaviour school inspections (updated 13 October 2017) provides guidance for Ofsted inspectors carrying out school inspections under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

Changes listed include:

• to the Short inspections of schools section reflecting the outcomes of a recent consultation
• clarifications to the sections on Monitoring inspections
• clarifications about engaging with those responsible for governance and inclusion of chief executives or equivalents in inspections of academies in multi-academy trusts
• and updates reflecting changes to data reports (Analyse School Performance and the new inspection data summary reports or IDSR).