Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 48
48
Deferred
Paragraph: 154
Urge Department to deliver a process for Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) inspection urgently.
Conclusion
We agree with the incoming HMCI that it is “inevitable” that MATs will be inspected, and we are frustrated that repeated calls for trust inspections from this Committee, its predecessors and others have not yet been acted upon by the Department. We recognise that Ofsted will need to develop their expertise and capacity in this area, and that the interaction of trust and individual school inspections requires further consideration. However, now that MATs are the largest part of the school system, with a key responsibility for school improvement, a process for MAT inspection should be delivered as a matter of urgency.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that MAT inspection is inevitable but redirects responsibility for developing the process to the DfE, stating that it falls under their remit. They also suggest considering a wider application of 'group inspection'.
Paragraph Reference:
154
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Many of the recommendations in the Committee’s report fall to the DfE, rather than Ofsted. We welcome Recommendation 28, and the Committee agreeing with our evidence that inspection of MATs is appropriate and inevitable. We also think consideration needs to be given to the wider application of this thinking to groups of education providers, such as dioceses, groups of nurseries, children’s homes, independent schools, and potentially even local authorities and the work of directors of children’s services. Arguably, MAT inspection could be considered just one element of ‘group inspection’. Considering a wider set of group inspections might help to bring the system together, rather than risking further fracturing, with different accountability for different providers and groups. Nearly all of the other recommendations fall to the DfE (Recommendations 4, 14, 16, 18 to 19, 26 and 28), and we commit to engaging with them on all relevant matters.