The Ofsted report, Food in schools, shows that most pupils have a good understanding of what makes up a healthy diet. It also finds that in the majority of schools visited, food is attractive, nutritious and well prepared.
Many schools have succeeded in increasing the take-up of free school meals by giving better advice and support to parents. But less thought has been given to providing advice to families whose incomes are low but who are not entitled to free school meals.
Zenna Atkins has announced her intention to stand down from her position as Chairman of Ofsted as of 31 August 2010. Her decision has been notified to the Secretary of State for Education.
Zenna Atkins was appointed as the first Chairman of Ofsted in September 2006 with the remit to oversee, along with Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, bringing together into a single organisation the inspection and regulation of education, children’s services and skills to help ensure a better deal for children and adult learners in England.
Local authorities need more information and understanding about home education to provide effective support for children educated at home, a report published by Ofsted reveals. For the report, Local authorities and home education, inspectors visited 15 local authorities across England and held discussions with home-educated children, their parents, local authority staff and headteachers.
Ofsted has released official data showing outcomes for the first two terms of the new school inspection framework which was introduced in September 2009. The new inspection regime reflects Ofsted’s continued drive to focus inspection where it is most needed, with earlier inspection and greater attention on weaker schools, and less frequent inspection of the best. The revised arrangements emphasise the role of leadership, the progress and achievement of pupils and the quality of teaching and learning. In addition inspection places much more reliance on classroom observation to judge overall effectiveness. The new framework is raising both expectations and standards as intended.
Ofsted’s latest survey on religious education finds that in many of the schools visited RE was no better than satisfactory, and in some cases inadequate, because teachers are unsure about what they are trying to achieve in the subject. Transforming religious education showed that because the curriculum for RE is determined locally, there is wide variability in the quantity and quality of support provided to schools by local authorities and relevant advisory councils.
Children and young people are suffering as a result of variable standards of support when moving into and out of custody, according to Transition through detention and custody. While their achievements in custody provide the first experience of educational success for many young people, the report highlights how poor initial assessment of learning needs and insufficient preparation for independent living leaves children and young people ill-equipped for outside life.
We inspect and regulate to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.
The new Ofsted brings together the wide experience of four inspectorates to make a greater difference for every child, and for all young people and adult learners, in England. Their educational, economic and social well-being will promote our success as a country.
Our Ofsted: who we are and what we do leaflet and two Raising standards, improving lives booklets explain what we do and how our work is helping to improve outcomes for children and learners. They are available in About us.
Annual Report 2008/09
The Report principally presents evidence from inspection and regulatory visits undertaken by Ofsted between September 2008 and August 2009.
Outstanding Providers 2008/09
The list of providers judged to be outstanding following an inspection in 2008/09 is now live. You can view the new list on the link below.
Safeguarding FAQs
Our safeguarding FAQs are divided into three sections: schools and colleges; learning and skills providers; Cafcass service areas.
Early Years: Leading to Excellence
Ofsted's latest report on early years and childcare focuses on leadership and management.
Ofsted News
Find out the latest about inspection in our free online magazine.
talisman
Subscribe to talisman, our free newspaper for employers and learners in the learning and skills sector.
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