Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
4
Recommendation
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo…
Accepted in Part
The serious nature of a Prevention of Future Deaths report will not be lost on the new HMCI. We expect him to make every effort to address the coroner’s report fully. Ofsted should review the seven areas of concern set out in the coroner’s report following the inquest into the …
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The serious nature of a Prevention of Future Deaths report will not be lost on the new HMCI. We expect him to make every effort to address the coroner’s report fully. Ofsted should review the seven areas of concern set out in the coroner’s report following the inquest into the death of Ruth Perry and put in place changes to ensure that each of these have been addressed as a matter of urgency. They must monitor the impact of the changes they have already put in place and commit to making further changes if these have not been shown to have a meaningful impact. Going forward we expect HMCI to report to this Committee on a six-monthly basis on Ofsted’s progress in addressing these significant concerns. (Paragraph 17) The inspection process
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Government response AI summary
The government states it has responded fully to the coroner’s report and committed to appointing an independent expert this month to lead a learning review of Ofsted’s policies regarding tragic incidents. They will respond to this review's recommendations as part of the Big Listen, but …
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Department for Education
18
Conclusion
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo…
Accepted in Part
We have heard that access to training materials gives school leaders working as inspectors a disproportionate advantage over those who do not, and that Ofsted does not make enough data available to qualified researchers. While we accept that Ofsted publishes many other materials to support schools with inspections and that …
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We have heard that access to training materials gives school leaders working as inspectors a disproportionate advantage over those who do not, and that Ofsted does not make enough data available to qualified researchers. While we accept that Ofsted publishes many other materials to support schools with inspections and that there are some restrictions in publishing personal data, we believe that Ofsted should improve its transparency by publishing as much information as possible.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to publishing all training materials unless there is a strong reason not to, noting that much is already public and some is withheld due to context or external ownership. They also intend to publish data wherever possible.
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Department for Education
19
Conclusion
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo…
Accepted in Part
Ofsted must ensure that it is publishing as much information as possible to maximise the transparency of its work. In particular, it must make more data available to key educational research organisations to allow for high-quality research to be conducted. Ofsted must also publish the training materials which are available …
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Ofsted must ensure that it is publishing as much information as possible to maximise the transparency of its work. In particular, it must make more data available to key educational research organisations to allow for high-quality research to be conducted. Ofsted must also publish the training materials which are available to their inspectors, with appropriate caveats where necessary to explain what they are, and are not, intended to be used for. (Paragraph 63) Ofsted’s work with schools 51 Following an inspection
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to publishing all training materials unless there is a strong reason not to, explaining that some material is already public or withheld due to context. They also intend to publish training material and data wherever possible.
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Department for Education
33
Conclusion
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo…
Accepted in Part
Schools have also told us that the complaints process is hampered by a lack of access to inspectors’ notes and documents that have been used to reach a conclusion. While we understand that there are considerations around confidentiality regarding these documents, schools cannot effectively challenge a judgement if they are …
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Schools have also told us that the complaints process is hampered by a lack of access to inspectors’ notes and documents that have been used to reach a conclusion. While we understand that there are considerations around confidentiality regarding these documents, schools cannot effectively challenge a judgement if they are unable to access the evidence base used to support this judgement. There is also limited data available as to the proportion of complaints upheld relating to schools and how this has changed over time. This has contributed to a perceived lack of transparency and willingness from Ofsted to listen to and respond to criticism.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to providing percentages of complaints per inspection remit from 2024-25 and separating information about the proportion of inspections upheld by remit. It also states that improving transparency and understanding of judgements will be discussed with the sector as part of the 'Big …
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Department for Education
36
Recommendation
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo…
Accepted in Part
In its annual report and accounts, Ofsted should publish separate complaints data for each sector in their remit, including data on the number and percentage of complaints per inspection, whether these relate to conduct or judgements, and the percentage of complaints for each that have been upheld. The annual report …
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In its annual report and accounts, Ofsted should publish separate complaints data for each sector in their remit, including data on the number and percentage of complaints per inspection, whether these relate to conduct or judgements, and the percentage of complaints for each that have been upheld. The annual report should also set out what improvements Ofsted has made as a result of learning from complaints. (Paragraph 112) The scope of inspections
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Government response AI summary
The government states they already publish some complaints data and commit to providing percentages of complaints per inspection remit from 2024-25, and separating information about the proportion of inspections upheld by remit. They will also investigate the practicality of separating conduct and judgement complaints.
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Department for Education
41
Conclusion
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo…
Accepted in Part
The Department and Ofsted must go further than simply ‘myth-busting’: they must undertake a programme of research to fully understand the causes of inspection- related workload pressure and assess what changes would be genuinely helpful in reducing this. The new HMCI should prioritise work in this area as part of …
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The Department and Ofsted must go further than simply ‘myth-busting’: they must undertake a programme of research to fully understand the causes of inspection- related workload pressure and assess what changes would be genuinely helpful in reducing this. The new HMCI should prioritise work in this area as part of his “Big Listen” with the sector.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the 'Big Listen' initiative will serve as a programme of research to gather feedback on the impact of inspection and is committed to reducing workload. They will evaluate how leaders address well-being and reduce workload as part of this.
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Department for Education