Ofsted could damn schools as ‘good-ish’, teachers fear

A NEW system for one-day school inspections could result in them being graded as “good-ish” and will confuse parents, headteachers are warning.

The National Association of Headteachers criticised the new system proposed by Ofsted, which will allow schools which could have fallen below a previous “good” rating to escape full inspection for up to three years.

Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of NAHT, which represents school leaders in England, said a “cloud of uncertainty” would “linger over the school” until the second inspection.

“Until the inspectors return, all the school community will be left with is a letter which outlines the misgivings of inspectors but only gives a vague ‘not sure’ or ‘good-ish’ verdict.

“Parents may well wonder what is the point of an inspection if it doesn’t tell them how effective their child’s school is and leaves behind more questions than answers,” he said.

Currently schools rated good have a one-day inspection every three years, which must “convert” to a full, two-day inspection in 48 hours if there are concerns that it no longer meets this standard.

Under the proposed new rules, if inspectors are unable to determine if a school is still good, they will issue a letter setting out the problems and areas for improvement, and telling the school that their next inspection will be a full one. This second inspection could take place up to three years later.

If there are concerns about behaviour or safeguarding the school will be fully inspected within seven days.

A consultation on the proposals runs until Nov 8. Ofsted said the new approach struck the best balance as it tried to minimise the inspection burden on schools.