Ofsted will carry out a reduced number of school inspections when its new framework is launched in November, as it seeks to address concerns that the process is being rushed.
The watchdog has said that for the first two months, there will be fewer inspections than usual and all of these visits will be led by its most senior in-house inspectors.
Ofsted is set to introduce a new report card inspection system after the first half of the autumn term, but the timetable has proved to be controversial.
As part of a series of measures aimed at reassuring schools, it has said that its national director for education, Lee Owston, will quality assure the work of the most senior inspectors during pilot visits to volunteer schools in the early autumn.
It has also today announced a series of measures aimed at reassuring the sector about the rollout of the new inspection framework.
All requests for an inspection deferral will be reviewed by Ofsted’s deputy chief inspector, “to make sure each case is treated with utmost sensitivity”, the watchdog has said.
Criticism of Ofsted framework timeline
Ofsted has been criticised for sticking with a November launch date for its new framework after having delayed the publication of its final inspection plans until after the summer holidays.
Last month, Tes revealed that Ofsted’s response to its consultation would not be published until September but that it was sticking with a November start.
This is despite Ofsted previously telling schools that they would have a term’s notice between its final plans being published and inspections starting.
It launched a consultation earlier this year on plans to move to a report card inspection system, with schools being evaluated on at least nine areas with a new five-point grading scale, but with no overall effectiveness grade.
‘Headlong rush benefits nobody’
Headteachers’ leaders have today repeated calls for Ofsted to rethink its inspection plans.
Julie McCulloch, director of strategy and policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed Ofsted’s latest attempt to reassure schools, but said: “The fact remains that the timeline is far too rushed and the five-point grading system proposed is fundamentally flawed.
“The assurance that the sector needs is for Ofsted and the government to rethink the current proposals and then introduce the new inspection system in a less frantic manner, giving schools and colleges time to absorb and prepare for what are very significant changes.”
“A headlong rush towards a poorly constructed inspection system benefits nobody,” she added.
Last week, writing for Tes, Steve Rollett, deputy chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), set out a series of steps Ofsted could take to support the sector as it launches its new inspections.
Ofsted has said today that it has taken these suggestions on board.
As a result, it has said it will work with the CST and others to ensure all inspection guidance and material for providers is as user-friendly as it can be.
Telephone helpline and updated FAQs
The inspectorate has also said its will continue to publish inspector training materials and that its telephone helpline for leaders to raise queries and concerns with a senior Ofsted leader in their region will be open before, during and after an inspection.
During the first few months of new inspections, Ofsted will continually update an FAQ document online and produce blogs “sharing reflections and countering any emerging myths”.
The watchdog has also said it will hold meetings with representatives from each education remit, seeking feedback on early inspections. It is also exploring webinar options for bodies responsible for governance and oversight, such as school governors, multi-academy trusts and local authorities.
Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said: “We’re confident that our reforms will deliver an improved system of education inspection, with real benefits for children and their parents.
“But we’re also serious about giving providers the support they need to engage confidently and fairly with the changes, and ensuring a steady and assured start to inspections under the renewed framework.
“I want to reassure everyone that we’re taking every possible measure to provide a consistent and high-quality inspection experience for all, right from the off.”
Last week, Ofsted announced that an engagement programme would be launched in September to help schools familiarise themselves with its new inspection framework.
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