“You don’t have a better bad idea than this?”
“This is the best bad idea we have, sir, by far.”
That line from Argo feels oddly apt right now.
Ofsted’s reformed inspection framework will be published in September, but implementation is still scheduled for November.
This means schools and trusts won’t get the full term’s notice they were promised during consultation. It’s not ideal, and at the Confederation of School Trusts, we’ve made clear to both Ofsted and government that it shouldn’t happen this way.
The issue isn’t just whether inspectors are ready; schools need time, too. Experience tells me that although schools are run for children rather than Ofsted, many leaders will rightly want time to reflect on their provision through the lens of the framework they’ll be inspected against - including potentially updating self-evaluations.
Ofsted start date
But if the decision is to press ahead anyway - if this is the “best bad idea” on offer - then it must be done as well as it can be.
That means giving schools and trusts the support they need to engage confidently and fairly with the changes. It’s essential that steps are taken to protect leaders from the anxiety they might feel as a result of the shortened timeline.
With that in mind, I began sketching out a list of actions Ofsted could take to help make the best of a November rollout.
It was, therefore, somewhat reassuring to see that Ofsted’s latest announcement ticks off some of those.
Inspection framework transition
Webinars and regional events are a must, and it’s good that Ofsted has committed to delivering these in the autumn.
But there are “webinars”, and then there are the detailed ones inspectors themselves access - the kind that offer detailed insight. That’s one reason many school leaders inspect: to better understand the process schools experience. These insights should be available to everyone.
The commitment to support the new “nominee” role is also welcome. It might feel like a significant responsibility, and those undertaking it need clarity about what it involves.
But there’s more Ofsted could do - and much of it could be announced now, if there’s a will.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Late November rollout
Ofsted could stick to its commitment to begin inspections in November, but delay the first visits until the end of the month. That would give schools and inspectors an extra three or four weeks to get to grips with the new arrangements. If Ofsted deems inspections must begin earlier, the first weeks of November could be “opt-in” only. Some schools actively seek early inspection, and schools can already request an inspection, so this would not be a radical move. It should be something Ofsted could deliver.
2. Enhanced feedback loops
During the autumn term, Ofsted should prioritise gathering high-quality feedback from schools it inspects. This would help assess how well the framework and methodology are working in practice, and where iteration or additional support might be needed. This might mean going beyond its usual post-inspection survey.
3. Stakeholder engagement programme
Ofsted’s regular engagement with stakeholder organisations should be expanded during the rollout period. This would strengthen its ability to respond to insight from across the system and give it the opportunity to explain decisions and counter myths before they take root.
4. Accessible documentation
Historically, inspection handbooks have been dense and hard to navigate. Ofsted’s consultation suggested a move toward more user-friendly “toolkits”. With such limited notice, clear and accessible communication of these is essential. Schools shouldn’t need consultants to translate what Ofsted means, nor should they have to wade through War and Peace to understand how inspection works.
5. Helpline
Ofsted has recently improved access to phone support for those being inspected. This should be emphasised, so leaders know there is someone to contact beyond their inspector if they are concerned about how their inspection is proceeding.
6. FAQs
Given the scale of change, misconceptions are likely to emerge. While Ofsted has retired its old “myth-busting” documents, it would be wise to maintain a live, regularly updated FAQs page to address common questions and misunderstandings quickly.
7. Responsible body webinar
School leaders are not the only ones who need to understand the new framework. A dedicated webinar for those responsible for governance, including boards and trust leaders, could clarify their role during inspection and reinforce messages about supporting staff and escalating wellbeing concerns where necessary.
‘It’s in everyone’s interests to get this right’
This is not an exhaustive list, and I’d be interested to hear other ideas. I still believe the right course would be to launch in January, honouring the promise of a term’s notice.
But if November really is the “best bad idea” available, then we must be pragmatic as well as principled. It’s in everyone’s interests to get this right.
Steve Rollett is deputy CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts
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