Ofsted aiming to give schools time to improve
SCHOOLS AT risk of losing their ‘good’ rating could be given up to two years to address problems under new Ofsted plans to “catch schools before they fall”.
Under proposals published by the watchdog, if inspectors are not confident that a good school still deserves a ‘good’ judgment, it will be told where it needs to improve and another inspection set for a later date – typically within one to two years.
But headteachers raised concerns the plans could create a “cloud of uncertainty” for schools.
The proposals laid out by Ofsted for consultation relate to “short” inspections of good schools. These are one-day visits to check the school still deserves the judgment, and usually take place every three years.
In cases where inspectors have concerns about issues, such as how children are being kept safe, education standards or behaviour, then schools are given a full two-day inspection.
Under the latest plans, Ofsted proposes that if inspectors are not “fully confident” that a school should still be judged ‘good’, but there are no concerns about behaviour or safeguarding, then it will receive a letter setting out its strengths and where it can improve. A second, full inspection would be set for a later date.
“Typically, this will be within one to two years because of the timing of inspections of good schools,” Ofsted’s consultation said. This period will give the school the opportunity to address weaknesses and seek support to improve from appropriate bodies.”
The consultation adds: “In this way, we would hope to ‘catch schools before they fall from being good’ and give them some more time to improve.”
The document also proposes that in cases where inspectors think a good school may now be “outstanding”, the watchdog will again publish a letter setting out its strengths and where it could make further improvements, with a full inspection carried out at a later date.
“In this way, we hope to give the school time for the strong practice to be consolidated and the opportunity for it to be celebrated through confirmation of an outstanding judgment,” the consultation says. Sean Harford, Ofsted’s national director of education, said: “Under the new proposals, good schools will get detailed feedback on their strengths and weaknesses. And they’ll have more time to improve following a short inspection. In this way, we hope to catch schools before they fall.”
However Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), disagreed.
He said: “For the most part, parents, staff and governors understand the current four ratings (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate).
“If, after a one-day visit, inspectors are not able to determine that a school is still ‘good’, they will now mark it out for reinspection. This could be up to three years later – an unacceptably long delay.
“A cloud of uncertainty will linger over the school until Ofsted can arrange a return.
“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 inspection if it doesn’t tell them how effective their child’s school is and leaves behind more questions than answers.”
But Stephen Rollett, inspections specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), argued: “We think that is better for schools and children because it recognises that sustainable improvement takes time to achieve.”