MPs have voted to back the appointment of Sir Martyn Oliver as the next chief inspector of Ofsted after he faced their questions this week.
The chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust is now set to take over at the inspectorate in January 2024 for a five-year term.
Sir Martyn replaces Amanda Spielman, who has been the chief inspector since 2017 after her term was extended because of the disruption caused to the system by Covid.
He faced MPs questions at a Commons Education Select Committee pre-appointment hearing on Tuesday (5 September).
The committee has now announced that it is satisfied that Sir Martyn has “the appropriate professional competence and personal independence for the role”.
The cross-party committee reached its decision after a majority vote in favour of the government awarding the post to Sir Martyn. Four MPs voted in favour and one - Labour MP Kim Johnson - voted against.
Sir Martyn said he was delighted at the committee’s decision to approve him for the post.
He added: “I promise to be empathetic, compassionate and understanding of the challenges that those of us working in education, children’s services and skills face, especially in terms of the recovery post-Covid, and will ensure that we always take a holistic view for the good of all children, especially the most vulnerable and those who are disadvantaged.”
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: “I am delighted the independent education select committee has endorsed Sir Martyn Oliver for the post of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector.
“I particularly welcome the committee’s recognition of Sir Martyn’s experience within schools and as a leader, as well as his focus on improving standards and opportunities for the most disadvantaged children, which I know will be essential in providing strong direction in the future of Ofsted.”
His appointment will now move to the Privy Council for official approval.
Sir Martyn Oliver: MPs’ report reveals some concerns
Although the Commons Education Select Committee hearing is part of the Ofsted recruitment process, it does not have the power to veto an appointment. In 2016, the committee did not support the appointment of Amanda Spielman.
The education committee’s report shows there were 29 applications for the post and four made it through to interview.
In its report on the decision, MPs noted that when asked about the adequacy of single-word judgements, Sir Martyn said he had views on the system but he wanted to talk to “the experts who are delivering on the ground” and parents before reaching any conclusions.
It also said that members were concerned about an apparent “lack of awareness” over controversial and contentious debates on RSHE and the teaching of gender in schools. It said that MPs will monitor closely how Ofsted addresses these issues.
The report further notes how the committee asked Sir Martyn about ”reports of excessive strictness” within his trust’s schools, namely a zero-tolerance policy and overuse of measures such as isolation rooms and exclusions.
It adds that Sir Martyn “explained the context of using reflection booths within Outwood Grange Academies Trust and highlighted the importance of these tools, as a time-limited measure, in providing children with a safe space to reflect on their actions”.
Tes revealed earlier this year that Sir Martyn was in the running for the post of chief inspector.
He has been the chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust since 2016.
