A good education for all

OFSTED is currently consulting on proposals to change the way in which it inspects schools and other providers.

Some of these key changes:

·         introducing no notice inspections;

·         changing the ‘satisfaction’ judgement to ‘requires improvement’ and

·         re-inspecting schools in this category more quickly and placing them in special measures unless they improve to at least ‘good’ within two years

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) is also proposing that schools and other providers that have been judged to be ‘outstanding’ but where teaching and learning did not receive the highest grade should be re-inspected and would lose their outstanding judgement unless teaching and learning is also found to be outstanding. 

This proposal could affect at least 53% of the schools that have been judged to be outstanding.  In future no provider will receive the ‘outstanding’ accolade unless it is judged to be outstanding in all four categories, including teaching and learning.

HMCI, Sir Michael Wilshaw explained his latest proposals in his first keynote speech since taking up the role.

You can access Sir Michael’s speech and the full consultation report here.

These proposals are likely to be implemented from September 2012 and could have a significant impact on many schools and other providers, including many schools that are already National Support Schools and where the headteachers are National Leaders of Education.