Ofsted is considering whether it can carry out graded inspections next term of schools rated as “requires improvement” or “inadequate” which want to demonstrate that they have improved, Tes understands.
Chief inspector Amanda Spielman revealed this week that Ofsted’s normal inspection programme will not be resumed until the autumn but said discussions with government about next term were still ongoing.
So far this year, it has been carrying out monitoring inspections of schools that are rated as “requires improvement” or “inadequate”, which do not result in a change of grade.
However, Tes understands that Ofsted is in discussions with the Department for Education (DfE) and wider sector about whether it can carry out some graded inspections on these schools next term.
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It is also understood that ministers have not yet signed off on the inspectorate doing this.
Some schools that have been judged in the “requires improvement” or “inadequate” categories in their most recent Ofsted visit are said to want new full inspections now in order for them to have the chance to secure an improved judgement.
An Ofsted spokesperson said: “We are discussing the form and timing of inspections for the summer term with government and stakeholders.
“We’ll set out the detail soon but we are looking to take a sensible and proportionate next step before returning to our normal inspection programme in the autumn.”
The DfE has been approached for a comment.
It referred Tes to its most recent guidance, which says: “Ofsted inspections remain suspended for the spring term. It is intended that these inspections will resume in the summer term. We are continuing to keep the inspection arrangements under review.”
Ofsted had been due to resume a full inspection programme after Easter but this has been pushed back.
It is the second time the watchdog has delayed its return to full inspections during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ofsted inspections were suspended in March last year at the onset of the crisis.
It was originally set to return to full inspection in January of this year but this was plan was postponed in December 2020.
Instead, Ofsted has been carrying out monitoring inspections since January of a some schools in its lower two inspection categories: “requires improvement” and “inadequate”.
The watchdog had originally planned to send inspectors into schools for these visits despite the country starting a new lockdown that month.
However it then changed its plan and has been carrying out these visits remotely throughout this term.
