Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Rejected
Paragraph: 27
Reduce Ofsted inspection frequency for schools to enable greater depth and better risk assessment.
Conclusion
In the shorter term, the Department should work with Ofsted to enable the inspectorate to reduce the frequency of inspections to approximately five to six years for ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ schools and three to four years for schools judged ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’. This should be supported by better use of risk assessment to identify schools in most need of inspection. Ofsted should use the additional resource released by this change to enable inspections to be carried out in more depth.
Government Response Summary
The government states that inspection frequency is set by legislation, arguing that the current 5-year interval provides reassurance to parents and that less frequent inspections could reduce standards. While the "Big Listen" will explore these issues, they do not commit to the recommended reduction in inspection frequency.
Paragraph Reference:
27
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
One area where we expect we will hear a diversity of views is on the frequency and length of inspections. This reflects the balance we need to strike between holding schools to account and reducing pressures on leaders and staff (this relates to Recommendation 3). We know that the frequency and length of inspection are constrained by public funding. However, we will continue to do what we can within the resources available. Theoretically, we could trade off depth and frequency of inspection, inspecting schools in greater depth, if we were permitted to reduce the frequency of inspection (as outlined in Recommendation 3). However, our timeframe for inspection is set out in legislation. And we believe the current 5-year interval between inspections gives parents and carers reassurance that an inspection will take place at least once during their child’s time at a school. We are keen to hear from all the professionals we work with, and the parents, carers and children that we work for, in the Big Listen. The range of views we expect to hear through the Big Listen will help to inform any future changes. But if and when we make any changes, we will also consider, first and foremost, their impact on the quality of education that pupils receive. As we set out to the Committee, there is clear evidence that not inspecting schools for extended periods leads to a reduction in standards. The majority of recommendations will be explored through our ‘Big Listen’ (Recommendations 1, 3, 5 to 8, 10, 13, 20 to 22 and 24 to 25). We look forward to hearing the sector’s, and the public’s, views on these important matters, and will take action immediately after the Big Listen concludes.