Ofsted inspections have been cancelled for at least another month.
Changes to government legislation mean that the watchdog is not required to carry out routine inspections until 1 August at the earliest.
The news comes just one week after education secretary Gavin Williamson said Ofsted will inspect schools to check how they have spent coronavirus catch-up funding.
Earlier this month, Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said school inspections can resume as soon as the government clarifies its “minimum expectations” for lockdown learning.
A government notice published today states: “Routine inspections are not appropriate at this time while schools are fully engaged in responding to the coronavirus outbreak.”
It continues: “In relation to schools, lifting the duty on Ofsted to routinely inspect and report is necessary to alleviate pressure on school leaders and their staff, and enable them to focus entirely on delivering appropriate onsite provision for pupils attending schools; and developing and implementing appropriate approaches to enable pupils not attending school to receive as much good quality education as is possible in the circumstances.”
However, Ofsted retains its power to inspect individual schools “if any significant concerns arise”.
The notice adds: “The suspension of routine inspection is a temporary measure. The government remains committed to Ofsted inspection.
“The disapplication of the duty to conduct routine inspection will remain under review and routine inspection will be re-introduced at the appropriate time.”
