Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
First Report - Ofsted’s work with schools
Education Committee
HC 117
Published 29 January 2024
Recommendations
26
Deferred
Para 87
Assess proportionality of academy orders imposed on schools with consecutive 'requires improvement' ratings.
Recommendation
The Department should assess whether the decision to impose academy orders on schools that have received ‘requires improvement’ ratings on more than one occasion 52 Ofsted’s work with schools is proportionate. As a first step, it should ensure that Regional …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that assessing the proportionality of academy orders and publishing related guidance for Regional Directors is a matter for the Department for Education (DfE), not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on these issues.
Department for Education
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39
Deferred
Para 130
Publish evaluation of the Education Inspection Framework, adapting for primary, special, and small schools.
Recommendation
Ofsted must publish their planned evaluation of the Education Inspection Framework as soon as possible. In this evaluation, Ofsted should review the implementation of the new framework, in particular looking at the impact it has had on primary schools, special …
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Government Response Summary
The government states its intention to publish the findings from its evaluation of the Education Inspection Framework as part of its response to the 'Big Listen', which will also gather further feedback from the sector and public on the framework's implementation and impact.
Department for Education
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Conclusions (23)
5
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 26
There is broad agreement that inspections are not currently long enough to cover the full framework and give an accurate picture of a school’s performance. We accept that, in a context of finite funding, any increase to the length of inspections would require a decrease in their frequency. We are …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's view on trading inspection frequency for depth but highlights legislative constraints and concerns about reduced standards with less frequent inspections. They state the "Big Listen" will gather diverse views to inform any future changes without committing to a specific change.
11
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 46
The short timeframe of inspections does not allow for in-depth engagement with different groups in the inspection process. While we do not believe that Ofsted should introduce feedback meetings with parents following an inspection, there is a case to be made for improving the ways in which the inspectorate engages …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the vital importance of engagement and already aims to talk to staff and governors, but defers further improvements and reporting methods to be explored through the 'Big Listen' consultation, with action planned after its conclusion.
12
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 47
Ofsted should explore ways in which it can improve its engagement with parents, pupils, governors, and trustees before and during the inspection process, ensuring that opportunities are well-communicated and that those with additional needs 50 Ofsted’s work with schools are supported to engage. Our previous recommendation to extend the notice …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the vital role of engagement and states it already aims to talk to staff and governors, but defers exploring further improvements and how to report them to the 'Big Listen' consultation, with action planned after its conclusion.
13
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 48
Ofsted should introduce regular surveys of parents, pupils and staff outside the inspection process and use this information as part of its risk assessment to identify schools most or least in need of inspection.
Government Response Summary
The government commits to reviewing its current risk assessment model, but defers the specific recommendation to introduce regular surveys of parents, pupils, and staff to be explored through the 'Big Listen' consultation.
16
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 60
Ofsted must ensure that they are matching inspectors’ expertise with the appropriate phase and subject as much as possible, and ensure that their recruitment processes are targeting particular gaps in expertise. At a minimum, they must ensure that the lead inspector always has expertise in the relevant type of school …
Government Response Summary
The government states its ambition to match inspector expertise to the appropriate phase and subject wherever possible, acknowledging benefits and challenges, but defers further exploration and action to the 'Big Listen' consultation.
21
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 68
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 …
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.
22
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 83
Evidence from groups representing teachers, school leaders, parents and pupils was highly critical of Ofsted’s single-word overall judgements. There is much concern that they simplify the complex environment of a school and the many efforts of its leadership and staff into a single headline. We have heard many suggestions as …
Government Response Summary
The government states that matters concerning inspection grades and broader reform fall to the Department for Education (DfE) rather than Ofsted, committing only to engage with the DfE on these issues.
23
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 84
The Department and Ofsted should work together as a priority to develop an alternative to the current single-word overall judgement that better captures the complex nature of a school’s performance, and ensure that these changes interact effectively with Department policies. In doing so, they should look at other jurisdictions both …
Government Response Summary
The government states that developing an alternative to single-word judgements is a matter for the Department for Education (DfE), not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on it.
25
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 86
The ‘high-stakes’ nature of the current system is clearly causing a significant amount of stress and worry for school leaders. In particular, there is an overwhelming fear among headteachers that they risk losing their job following a less than ‘good’ judgement, and the Department’s guidance is unclear as to whether …
Government Response Summary
The government states that the issues of proportionate consequences of inspection and suitable support mechanisms for leaders are matters for the Department for Education (DfE), not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on them.
28
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 95
We have heard that there is not enough support for schools to improve following a negative inspection judgement, and that the support available does not always arrive as quickly as is needed. We recognise that the role of school improvement no longer sits with Ofsted, and that much of this …
Government Response Summary
The government states that providing support for schools to improve following a negative inspection judgement is a matter for the Department for Education (DfE), not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on this.
29
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 96
It is essential that there is proper scrutiny of the regional system of school improvement. We do not agree with the former Schools Minister’s view that it is sufficient to scrutinise Regional Directors solely through parliamentary scrutiny of ministers.
Government Response Summary
The government states that improving the transparency and accountability of Regional Directors' work (related to scrutiny of the regional system) is a matter for the Department for Education (DfE), not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on it.
30
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 97
The Department must conduct a full audit of the support available to schools to help them improve, reviewing whether the amount of support is sufficient and what more is needed. In the interim, the Department should ensure that all schools and trusts are aware of the support on offer and …
Government Response Summary
The government states that conducting an audit of school support, developing a 'one-stop shop', and ensuring timely support after negative judgements are matters for the Department for Education (DfE), not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on these issues.
31
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 98
The Department must improve the transparency and accountability of the work of the Regional Directors. At a minimum, it should provide an annual report to Parliament setting out the scope, detail and impact of their work and make Regional Directors available to give evidence to the Committee.
Government Response Summary
The government states that this recommendation, concerning the transparency and accountability of Regional Directors, is a matter for the DfE, not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on it.
32
Conclusion
Deferred
We have received substantial evidence suggesting that Ofsted’s complaints process is not seen to be working and amounts to Ofsted “marking their own homework”. The changes announced in Ofsted’s consultation on the process are welcome, and we particularly welcome the introduction of a telephone number which schools can call to …
Government Response Summary
The government highlights existing changes to the complaints process and states that the majority of related recommendations, including addressing concerns about the complaints process, will be explored through the 'Big Listen' consultation, with action to follow its conclusion.
34
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 110
The Department for Education and Ofsted should conduct an in-depth review of the complaints process to ensure that there is an efficient and independent process for schools to challenge the findings as well as the conduct of an inspection. In doing so, they should explore the option of setting up …
Government Response Summary
The government refers to existing changes in the complaints process and states that the recommendation for an in-depth review and exploring an independent body will be explored through the 'Big Listen' consultation, with action to follow its conclusion.
35
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 111
Ofsted must allow schools to gain access to the evidence base used to reach a judgement when making a complaint, making redactions to ensure that confidentiality and protection of the identity of individuals is maintained where this is necessary.
Government Response Summary
The government commits to transparency and ensuring schools understand the reasoning behind judgements, stating they will discuss how to improve this with the sector as part of the 'Big Listen' consultation rather than immediately allowing access to the evidence base.
37
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 128
There is broad support for the move away from a data-driven approach to one that is more focused on curriculum in the new Education Inspection Framework. However, there appear to be problems with how this has worked in practice, in particular around the impact this has had on the consistency …
Government Response Summary
The government intends to publish findings from its evaluation of the Education Inspection Framework as part of its response to the 'Big Listen', which will also gather further feedback from the sector and public on the framework and how context is considered.
38
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 129
There is also widespread concern that the new framework is less suitable for primary and special schools, particularly smaller schools, who are finding it more difficult to meet its requirements. We appreciate that any change to the framework causes additional work for schools, which should be minimised, but we think …
Government Response Summary
The government refers to its upcoming evaluation of the Education Inspection Framework, which will be published as part of the 'Big Listen' response, and commits to gathering further feedback on the framework, including how context is considered for different school types.
42
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 136
We were concerned by the suggestion that Ofsted does not sufficiently take into account the challenges faced by schools with high numbers of disadvantaged pupils or those with SEND. We appreciate that the 2019 inspection framework aimed to improve the situation by moving away from outcome data, but there still …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concern about considering context, stating that Sir Martyn has committed to considering context more and will discuss improvements as part of the 'Big Listen' initiative.
43
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 137
Ofsted must ensure that inspectors are fully taking a school’s size and context into account in reports and judgements, in particular the numbers of pupils from disadvantaged groups and those with SEND, and other relevant factors such as recruitment and retention challenges. It must ensure that these factors are clearly …
Government Response Summary
The government states that considering school context more in judgments is a priority for Sir Martyn, and they will discuss how to improve this as part of the 'Big Listen' initiative.
46
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 146
The Department should consult on the best approach to increasing the regularity of safeguarding inspections through a less intensive compliance audit. In doing so, Ofsted’s work with schools 55 it should look at whether this should be done by local authorities or by a separate, independent body, and make the …
Government Response Summary
The government states that this recommendation falls to the Department for Education (DfE), not Ofsted, and Ofsted will engage with the DfE on considering new approaches to inspecting safeguarding.
48
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 154
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 …
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'.
49
Conclusion
Deferred
The Department must authorise Ofsted to develop a framework for the inspection of MATs as a matter of urgency and set out a plan for building the appropriate expertise and capacity in this area. Ofsted will need to be appropriately resourced to develop their expertise in this respect and should …
Government Response Summary
The government states that the authorization for Ofsted to develop a MAT inspection framework falls to the DfE, not Ofsted, and commits to engaging with the DfE on this matter while also suggesting a broader concept of 'group inspection'.