Ofsted News
Ofsted School Inspection Update: March 2018 – Issue 13
Ofsted recently released their latest ‘School inspection update’ to its inspectors. It looks at a number of issues, including the inspection of ‘exempt’ schools, the inspection of schools with a religious character, and what inspectors should look for in relation to careers provision in schools.
On March 8th the Ofsted School inspection handbook – “Handbook for inspecting schools in England under section 5 of the Education Act 2005” was updated.
The following amendment was made:
- Paragraph 17 has been amended to clarify the position for inspecting exempt schools.
Schools rated ‘good’ will be re-inspected every 4 years and schools judged ‘requires improvement’ will be re-inspected within 30 months.
Ofsted’s Inspection handbook now says that schools rated 'good' will be re-inspected every 4 years instead of every 3 years. This also applies to 'good' or 'outstanding' pupil referral units, special schools and maintained nursery schools. These schools will still be subject to short inspections.
The inspection frequency for schools graded ‘requires improvement’ (section 8) has also changed. These schools will have their next section 5 inspection “usually within 30 months” of their inspection report being published. Previously it would have been no later than 24 months. 'Requires improvement' schools may still receive section 8 monitoring inspections in this time.
Additionally, academies judged to have serious weaknesses or requiring special measures that are not rebrokered to a new trust will now be re-inspected within 30 months. This previously happened within 18 or 24 months respectively.
A copy of the updated documents have been uploaded to WES Governor Services Document Library and to GovernorHub.
7b) Role of Ofsted in the inspection of MATs
A new report published by Forum Education details the role of Ofsted in the inspection of Multi Academy Trusts. The report focuses on the form this inspection could or should take.
The report suggests that an inspection of MATs should include consideration of:
- the MAT’s documents detailing its structure, vision and strategy
- governance as a “central pillar”, including consideration of the skills and knowledge of the board, its committees and the support and challenge provided
- the sustainability of a MAT, including its leadership and financial management
- the relationship between the MAT and individual schools
Click here to see the report.