Ofsted launches the Inspection of children’s homes, a new inspection framework for all children’s homes in the England.
The framework will focus inspection on the quality and impact of services and the outcomes achieved for children and young people.
The Children on Family Justice report, published today by the Children’s Rights Director, Dr Roger Morgan, reveals concerns children in care have about the court system.
Only half of the children surveyed trust the courts to make the right decisions about their lives. The findings were similar when children took part in discussion groups.
All types of childcare provider can, and do, deliver the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage well, with training, support and challenge, key to their success.
Ofsted’s report ‘The impact of the Early Years Foundation Stage: A good start’, examines the work of early years providers across the sector, from large primary schools to childminders working alone with one or two children. In July 2010 Children’s Minister Sarah Teather asked Dame Clare Tickell to carry out a review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and this report is intended to inform that review.
Most children in England get a good start in life. Over two thirds of providers in the early years and childcare sector are judged to be good or outstanding. There is strong provision, too, in the education and skills sectors. Children and young people are generally well supported by local services when they need them. However, the quality of teaching in schools and colleges is still too variable.
Ofsted’s Annual Report 2009/10, launched by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert, shows that teaching is still no better than satisfactory in half of secondary schools, 43% of primaries and 43% of colleges that were inspected this year. Ofsted’s data also shows that while a strong relationship remains between deprivation and weaker provision it is not a barrier to a school succeeding. Nine per cent of schools serving the most disadvantaged communities are outstanding, compared with the overall figure of 13%.
You may have seen the Secretary of State’s recent announcement, which confirmed that the school self-evaluation form (SEF) for maintained schools is to be withdrawn with effect from September 2011.
This will mean that the Ofsted school information and evaluation form for independent schools (SIEF) will also be withdrawn at the same time. Inspectors will continue to make full use of the SEF and SIEF during school inspections which take place during the present academic year.
We will consider carefully how inspectors will manage school inspections when the SEF has been withdrawn, as part of work to develop a new school inspection framework during the coming year.
We will be consulting on the development of the new framework during the next few weeks; this will provide an opportunity to explore the implications of conducting inspections without a common summative self-evaluation form. We will also explore the implications of conducting inspections without the SIEF with independent schools.
It will, of course, be important that both maintained and independent schools continue to review their performance.
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.
Following the launch of the new inspection reports search in June, we have received feedback from users whose needs are not met by this new search facility. We apologise for this. A new Ofsted website is due in the next few months and we can reassure users that we will use this feedback when designing the new website’s inspection reports search.
We apologise for any inconvenience the current inspection reports search may cause.
Annual Report 2009/10
The Report principally presents evidence from inspection and regulatory visits undertaken by Ofsted between September 2009 and August 2010.
Outstanding Providers 2009/10
The list of providers judged to be outstanding following an inspection in 2009/10 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.
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