Ofsted launches a consultation on the inspection of maintained schools and academies in England.
The changes follow proposals announced in the 2011 Education Bill and aim to re-focus school inspection on what matters most: the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom, backed by excellent leadership and management, and good discipline and behaviour in schools.
The consultation seeks views on the detail of how Ofsted will implement these changes.
The consultation also seeks views on when Ofsted should inspect.
Outstanding schools will no longer be subject to routine inspections unless concerns about their performance are identified, and the consultation asks for views on the factors inspectors should consider when assessing whether an inspection is needed. In addition, it asks for views on plans to carry out more frequent inspections of weaker schools and on the circumstances in which schools may request an inspection.
An Ofsted report, ‘Excellence in English. What we can learn from 12 outstanding schools’, looking at best practice in English teaching in schools, says that teaching held in check by an inappropriate or dull curriculum will not inspire pupils or generate high standards.
Each one of 12 outstanding schools inspected for the survey was found to provide an innovative or creative curriculum for English explicitly and successfully designed around the particular needs of their pupils. Excellent team work, collaboration and sharing of best practice generated a consistency of approach especially in the crucial area of the quality of teaching.
The latest report from the Children’s Rights Director, Dr Roger Morgan, reveals that nearly half (43%) of the children in care consulted believe they would not have needed to come into the system had they received more support. However, just under a third of those who responded to the survey (36%) reported that even with additional support for them and their families, they would still have needed to enter into care.
Children on the edge of care gives direct accounts of children’s own experience and their views about coming into care and returning home. The survey consulted 122 children across the country on what could be done to help them and the support needed to face these circumstances.
Responding to the select committee findings, Ofsted Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, said: "There is much in this report that we welcome, particularly the recognition of the impact of Ofsted’s work, our independence, and the important role inspection plays in improving quality."
Ofsted publishes ’The voice of the child: learning lessons from serious case reviews’. This is Ofsted’s fifth report evaluating serious case reviews (SCRs) and considers 67 carried out between 1 April and 30 September 2010. The cases involved 93 children, 39 of whom died.
The report has a single theme: the importance of hearing the voice of the child. It provides an in-depth exploration of this key issue. It draws out practical implications and lessons for practitioners and Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
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.
Schools wishing to keep a copy of their data and information must save a copy by 21 July 2011.
Instructions for schools on saving a copy of their SEF or SIEF
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
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Outstanding Providers 2009/10
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