Schools and colleges rated “outstanding” will be subject to Ofsted inspections after the Department for Education backed lifting the exemption.
“Outstanding” schools will be inspected when Ofsted returns to its full inspection programme - which is currently scheduled for January 2021 - but the timing is being kept under review because of Covid-19.
Ofsted had planned to visit all “outstanding” schools over five years but this is now being extended to six because of the backlog of inspections caused by the coronavirus crisis.
The government will now seek parliamentary approval to implement the proposals.
Background: Ofsted to reinspect all ‘outstanding’ schools by 2025
Williamson: ‘Outstanding’ schools’ exemption will be lifted
Ofsted: Schools’ ‘outstanding’ ratings becoming out of date
The DfE has also backed Ofsted’s plans for a mixed approach to inspecting “outstanding” schools and colleges.
Ofsted to inspect ‘outstanding’ schools
This means all those that have not been inspected for more than five years will get a section five inspection but those that have been visited since September 2015 will receive a “lighter-touch” section eight inspection.
According to a DfE document published today, the plan will mean:
- Once Ofsted’s regular school inspections restart, all schools, colleges and other organisations will be subject to inspections.
- All institutions formerly exempt will have to receive an initial section five or section eight inspection within six years - a change from the initial consultation, which stated five years.
- Those formerly exempt schools that have been inspected before September 2015 will receive an initial section five inspection.
- Those that have been inspected since September 2015 will instead start with a section eight inspection.
- If the initial section eight inspection indicates that “outstanding” performance may not have been maintained, Ofsted must conduct a section five inspection, which will take place within the next year or so and in any event before 1 August 2027.
- Organisations that have gone the longest without inspections will be prioritised.
In a foreword to the document, education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I am pleased that, subject to Parliament’s approval, we will reintroduce regular inspection for all schools and colleges.
“This feels even more important after a time where we have rightly suspended routine inspection for all schools and colleges.
“Our aim is that routine inspections restart in January 2021, though the exact timing will, of course, remain under review, and to restart inspections of ‘outstanding’ schools and colleges as part of the wider resumption of Ofsted’s routine inspections.
“This change is an important part of our reforms to raise school standards and support schools and colleges to address the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.”
Lifting the exemption on “outstanding” schools being inspected was a commitment Mr Williamson made last year after taking over at Sanctuary Buildings.
The Association of School and College Leaders has welcomed the exemption of “outstanding” schools being lifted but questioned Ofsted’s plan to return to full inspection in January next year.
General secretary Geoff Barton said: “We support plans to remove the current exemption from inspection of schools that are rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
“The exemption has resulted in parents going too long without the assurance provided by an inspection, and this situation is untenable. It is right that it is now removed.
“However, the more pressing issue is the fact that Ofsted intends to restart routine inspections for all schools and colleges from January.
“This does not seem to be a realistic or sensible plan in light of rising Covid infection rates, and the consequent disruption that is taking place in schools.
“We urge Ofsted and the government to reconsider this timetable, and to postpone the resumption of inspections until circumstances are more favourable.”
