Ofsted

The latest news and analysis on the schools inspectorate in England, including inspection and curriculum policy and reports

Yesterday

20th Dec 2024

Ofsted inspections of teaching quality ‘could risk discrepancies’
Expert observers assessing the same lesson can produce different ratings on teacher quality, new research warns

Penguin odd one out
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Thursday

19th Dec 2024

Ofsted to begin new inspection trials in first week of next term
Watchdog to visit volunteer schools to trial its new inspection approach before launching a formal consultation on its plans for new report cards
Ofsted is to trial a new approach to inspections for the first week of next term.

Wednesday

18th Dec 2024

Just third of teachers say Ofsted can accurately inspect in 3 days
Teacher Tapp poll also finds that 4 in 10 teachers do not think inspectors can accurately assess a school, no matter how long an inspection lasts
Only one in three teachers think Ofsted can accurately assess a school in three days.

Tuesday

10th Dec 2024

Ofsted to review use of AI in schools
The watchdog will ask how schools are monitoring ‘intended and unintended impacts’ of artificial intelligence and look at the role of leaders in embedding its use
Ofsted is to carry out a review of how AI is used in schools.

Thursday

5th Dec 2024

Extending report card consultation is not ‘off the table’, Ofsted chief says
Sir Martyn Oliver says Ofsted’s plans for new inspections have not yet been tested because it is about to launch a ‘genuine consultation’ rather than presenting a solution
Extending report card consultation is not ‘off the table’, Ofsted chief says

Friday

29th Nov 2024

Ofsted board chair to step down next year
Dame Christine Ryan will continue as chair while a process to find her successor starts
Christine Ryan
What school report cards should look like and how they should be introduced
ASCL chief Pepe Di’Iasio on why Ofsted shouldn’t develop the new standards, and why he would back a delay in introducing them if needed
Our image for school report cards and how they should be introduced

Wednesday

27th Nov 2024

Headteacher input ‘completely lost’ in inspection system
School leader tells conference ‘we need to get back to a point’ where heads are listened to on Ofsted processes
Headteacher input ‘completely lost’ in inspection system
Ofsted ITT inspections paused after Bridget Phillipson request
Ofsted has paused updates planned for teacher training inspections in 2024-25, ahead of major changes being introduced in September 2025
Ofsted ITT inspections paused after Bridget Phillipson request

Tuesday

26th Nov 2024

‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgements more than double in a year
Former inspector expresses ‘sadness’ for heads whose schools were inspected before the steep climb in top ratings
A+ grade

Wednesday

20th Nov 2024

Ofsted says it will not rate ‘individual’ teachers
Watchdog director also says new inspection framework may focus more on ‘statutory outcomes’ and that defining inclusion is ‘very tricky’
Picking fruit

Tuesday

19th Nov 2024

Wilshaw: Longer inspection needed if report card proposals go ahead
But former Ofsted chief backs a return to inspecting teaching as a separate category in school inspections
Sir Michael Wilshaw has said Ofsted inspections would need to be longer if it is to inspect schools across 10 areas.
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