Weekly round-up: No ‘revolution’ for embattled Ofsted

Catch up on the week’s must-read news and analysis right here:

• Ofsted chief: It’s not a ‘revolution’ at watchdog
  Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver this week said his aim was “evolution” rather than “revolution”, and voiced concerns about trusts being wary about taking on challenging schools “because of anything to do with Ofsted”.
• ‘Alternative Big Listen’ to probe single-word Ofsted ratings
  An alternative to Ofsted’s Big Listen consultation has been launched by former inspectors who think the watchdog has avoided asking important questions about the future of school inspection.
• Exclusive: Big Listen will consider single-word ratings, says Ofsted director
  Schools can “expect” Ofsted’s Big Listen consultation to address single-word inspection judgements, the watchdog’s national director of education, Lee Owston, has said in an exclusive interview.
• Ofqual: Sunak’s ABS plan means ‘unprecedented’ change
  Ofqual has responded to prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to launch a new Advanced British Standard qualification, highlighting the scale of the change and the complication that private schools will likely continue running A levels.
• TAs’ warning over increased teaching cover
  Two in five teaching assistants are now covering classes for the equivalent of at least a day a week, a union warns.
• Faith schools: DfE to scrap 50 per cent cap and allow special academies
  The government plans to scrap the limit on the number of places awarded on a faith basis in new free schools and allow special faith-based academies to open for the first time.
• Regional director system a ‘black box’ lacking visibility, says ex-minister
  The system of regional directors that governs school academy conversions is “a black box” and their decisions lack “visibility”, former schools minister Robin Walker has warned.
• How to reform childcare to truly benefit teachers
  As a female-dominated sector, teaching is being hit particularly hard by the lack of accessible childcare - but there are ways schools can help staff with young children, says the founder of the Maternity Teacher/Paternity Teacher Project.
• Draw up ‘bomb threat checklist’, all schools advised
  All schools should create a “bomb threat checklist” in an effort to prepare for terrorism incidents, according to new Department for Education guidance.
• Growing oracy focus could benefit maths teaching
  Improving students’ ability to explain their reasoning in maths could help evolve their understanding from the procedural to something much more foundational, says Axiom Maths’ David Thomas.
• Leadership: are you really being inclusive?
  In the latest instalment of Tes’ Leading and Learning webinar series, Nadia Nagamootoo explores the immense benefits, but considerable challenges, of leading in a genuinely inclusive way.
• Middle leader tips: how to manage up
  Managing those above you as well as those below isn’t easy - find expert advice on getting the balance right in the latest instalment of Tes’ Middle Leadership Essentials series.

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