Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Deferred
Paragraph: 68
Increase length and depth of analysis in inspection reports for parents and schools.
Conclusion
As part of our recommended increase to the length and depth of inspections, we also recommend that Ofsted increase the length and depth of analysis provided in inspection reports to ensure that they are genuinely useful in providing parents and schools with the information they need. This should be developed in consultation with representatives of schools, governing bodies, and parents.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of inspection reports but states current reports are designed to be short due to funding priorities. They commit to discussing how to improve reports with parents and the sector through their 'Big Listen' consultation, with action to be taken after it concludes.
Paragraph Reference:
68
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We know how important our reports are to parents, government, Parliament and schools themselves. However, given the funding we receive, we decided in 2019 to focus the inspector time we have available first and foremost on crucial on-site inspection activity and professional dialogue with leaders and staff. This is a difficult trade-off, but our priority must be to focus on the standard of education and how well children are cared for. An implication of this is that the written report does not always reflect the richer in-person feedback given at the end of inspection. Inspection reports have multiple audiences, each with different reasons for reading them. Our current reports are designed to be short and to be as accessible as possible to parents. We are keen to talk to parents and the sector about how we can make sure our reports work best for them (as mentioned in Recommendation 13 in the Committee's report). 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.