High-achieving schools face losing status in Ofsted changes

OUTSTANDING schools face being downgraded under the proposed new Ofsted assessment regime.

Under the changes, inspections in England will no longer focus on exam results and grades, and instead will concentrate on whether pupils are being taught a broad curriculum.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s chief inspector, told a summit in Newcastle yesterday that under the existing setup, teachers were expected to deliver “perfect data above all else”.

She added that the new framework would “bring the inspection conversation back to the substance of young people’s learning” and would treat teachers “as experts in their field, not just data managers”.

Ms Spielman also said inspections have placed too much weight on exam results, which has led to children being pushed into less rigorous qualifications “to boost league table positions”.

School leaders broadly welcomed the proposals, but say that some outstanding or good schools could see their rating downgraded.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that the proposals will give parents a “broader view” of what is happening in schools.

Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, said many schools have cut back on arts, music, drama performance and sports lessons in order to concentrate on teaching pupils core subjects.

“Some schools do not have such good exam results but do really good things – they will be recognised for the great work they are doing even if they are not brilliant at exams” he said.

A consultation on the proposals will be launched in January, with a view to implementing them in September.