Ofsted admits it focuses too much on exams

OFSTED places too much pressure on schools over exam results, the Chief Inspector has admitted.

Amanda Spielman says the schools watchdog has added to the “teach to the test” mentality and left little time to focus on the curriculum.

In a published commentary, she said: “For a long time, our inspections have looked hardest at outcomes, placing too much weight on test and exam results.

“This has increased the pressure on school leaders, teachers and pupils alike to deliver test scores above all else. Through our recent inspections and research we have found that focusing on test and exam results can often leave little time or energy to think hard about the curriculum and how pupils should progress through it.”

The schools watchdog is preparing a new framework on how it grades schools after inspections. It is expected to place more emphasis on the curriculum. Ms Spielman’s comments follow research by Ofsted into the primary and secondary school curriculum, but she denies “advocating a pub-quiz approach to education”.

The analysis shows that some schools take a knowledge-led approach to the curriculum while others plan around the development of skills. Ofsted argues both are important.

Ms Spielman said this did not mean the curriculum should be formed from isolated chunks of knowledge identified as necessary for passing a test.

“In the long run, a renewed focus on the curriculum should reverse the current incentives that come from inspections being quite so focused on outcomes,” she said.

“There are some who have suggested that because I have spoken about knowledge in the curriculum, I am advocating a pub-quiz approach, perhaps at the expense of developing skills or deeper understanding.

“This is just not true. Without doubt schools need to have a strong relationship with knowledge, particularly around what they want their pupils to know and know how to do.”