Select Committee · Education Committee

Ofsted’s work with schools

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Jun 2023 Closed: 24 May 2024 8 recommendations 41 conclusions 1 report

The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into Ofsted’s work with schools. The inquiry aims to assess how well Ofsted is fulfilling its role in inspecting schools and whether and how it could be improved, to inform the work of the incoming His Majesty’s Chief Inspector. The inquiry will look at the impact of Ofsted …

Reports

1 report

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schools	HC 117	29 Jan 2024	49	Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items

8 Conclusion First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo… Acknowledged

Current short inspection notice period causes operational difficulties and increased stress for schools.

We have heard a range of views as to the appropriate notice period for inspections and accept that this is an issue that is difficult to fully resolve. While we do not believe that there should be a return to the much longer notice periods of the past, the current …

Government response. The government acknowledges that notice periods cause diverse views and operational difficulties, stating the "Big Listen" will reflect on current approaches and consider potential changes to find the right balance, with action to follow its conclusion.

Department for Education

14 Conclusion First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo… Acknowledged

Ofsted inspectors' lack of phase-specific expertise hinders effective assessment and feedback.

We are concerned that the lack of relevant phase-specific expertise among inspectors appears to be a widespread problem, particularly in primary schools and in specialist education settings. A high-quality inspection regime must ensure that inspectors have sufficient expertise to be able to accurately assess the quality of provision and offer …

Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of matching inspector expertise to the phase of education inspected and expresses an ambition to improve this, including discussing the issue further through the 'Big Listen'.

Department for Education

20 Conclusion First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo… Acknowledged

Ofsted inspection reports are too short, formulaic, and lack useful information for schools.

There is widespread agreement amongst schools, governing bodies and other organisations that inspection reports are too short and formulaic and do not provide enough useful information, particularly for schools. Targeting the reports at a parent audience means that schools do not always receive an in-depth assessment of their strengths and …

Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of inspection reports and the trade-offs made due to funding, which leads to shorter reports focused on parents. It is keen to discuss report effectiveness with the sector through the 'Big Listen' consultation.

Department for Education

40 Conclusion First Report - Ofsted’s work with schoo… Acknowledged

Inspection-related workload pressures on teachers and leaders remain despite Ofsted's 'myth-busting'.

It is clear that many teachers and school leaders are struggling with workload pressures in their roles, which are exacerbated by perceptions of what Ofsted expects to see in inspections. There are also concerns that the new framework has caused additional workload pressures for teachers, particularly subject leaders, and school …

Government response. The government acknowledges workload pressures and states the 'Big Listen' will gather feedback on the impact of inspection. It commits to evaluating how leaders address staff wellbeing and workload, and continuing efforts to reduce burdens associated with the inspection process.

Department for Education

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions

Date	Witnesses
8 Nov 2023	Amanda Spielman · Ofsted, Juliet Chua · Department for Education, Rt Hon Nick Gibb · Department for Education	View ↗
24 Oct 2023	Carole Willis · National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), Dr Bernardita Munoz Chereau · UCL Centre for Educational Leadership, Dr Sam Sims · UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities, Natalie Perera · Education Policy Institute, Sir Michael Wilshaw, Former HMCI, The Rt Hon. the Lord Knight of Weymouth · Beyond Ofsted inquiry	View ↗
17 Oct 2023	Charlotte Rainer · Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, Daniel Kebede · National Education Union, Ian Hartwright · National Association of Head Teachers, Jason Elsom · Parentkind, Sam Henson · National Governance Association, Steve Rollett · Confederation of School Trusts, Tom Middlehurst · Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)	View ↗