Almost half of the previously “outstanding”-rated schools inspected by Ofsted this term have lost their top rating after an exemption on them being checked was lifted.
The watchdog inspected 99 “outstanding” schools between the start of this academic year and the end of November, resulting in 47 per cent losing their top rating.
New data published by Ofsted today shows that 36 per cent of those schools have seen their ratings drop to “good”, 9 per cent have been given a “requires improvement” judgement and 2 per cent were rated “inadequate”.
Ofsted has resumed its routine inspections of “outstanding” schools after an exemption was lifted that has been in place for most of the last decade.
The start of this academic year also marked the first full return of Ofsted inspections since March 2020.
Ofsted introduced its current curriculum-focused education inspection framework in September 2019 but it had less than two terms in operation before the Covid crisis struck.
The data published by Ofsted today shows that, overall, schools have fared better under the watchdog’s current framework in the inspections that have taken place this term, compared with those carried out between September 2019 and Match 2020.
The new data shows that, during the three months up to the end of November, 83 per cent of schools were judged “good” or “outstanding”.
This compares with 77 per cent of schools rated “good” or “outstanding” between September 2019 and March 2020.
The data also shows that 72 per cent of previously “requires improvement” schools have attained a “good” or “outstanding” grade since September, compared with 56 per cent during the 2019-20 period, while 56 per cent of those previously rated “inadequate” have improved to “good” or “outstanding”, compared with 40 per cent last year.
The proportion of “outstanding” schools changing rating is not comparable with 2019-20 as top-rated schools were not being routinely inspected at this time, although Ofsted could inspect them if it had concerns.
Most leaders satisfied with inspections overall
Ofsted has also today published data on post-inspection surveys completed by school leaders since the beginning of this term.
It shows that 88 per cent of leaders were satisfied with the overall process of their inspection, and 91 per cent thought that their inspection will help them improve. The inspectorate said these figures are similar to the results of surveys completed before the pandemic.
Amanda Spielman, Ofsted chief inspector, said: “I am fully aware that schools are still facing very significant challenges as a result of the pandemic.
“So, I’m very pleased to report that schools are improving and being recognised for doing so. In fact, inspection results this term are very much in line with what we saw before the pandemic began, if not slightly improved. That will be a reassurance to parents and to schools as well.”
Ofsted’s return to full inspection during the Covid pandemic has proved to be controversial this term, with organisations including the NAHT school leaders’ union, the school leaders’ support service Headrest and the Schools North East network calling for inspections to be put on hold because of Covid disruption.
The Association of School and College Leaders has called on Ofsted to allow schools to defer inspections on request because of the Covid disruption they face.
Ofsted’s chief inspector has today highlighted survey findings showing the vast majority of school leaders who responded to a survey this term were satisfied with the process of their inspection.
Ms Spielman added: “Our inspections are intended to be constructive and supportive, so I’m pleased that our survey results show they are valued by the vast majority of school leaders who have experienced one this term.
“But inspections are also incredibly important for children, who only get one chance at education and have already lost so much in the last 20 months.”
