Ofsted inspectors are concerned that relaxing the need for them to take Covid tests before visiting schools could contribute to the spread of the virus, according to a union representing HMIs.
Her Majesty’s inspectors were told on 1 April that they are no longer required to routinely test before every school visit.
Ofsted is still asking inspectors to take Covid tests if they are experiencing symptoms and are due to visit education settings for vulnerable children, such as special schools for children with medical conditions.
The FDA union, which represents some Ofsted HMIs and school leaders have raised concerns about the changes that came into effect as the government ended free access to Covid testing.
FDA national officer Duncan Woodhead said: “The FDA understands that Ofsted are following government guidelines, but we are surprised at the decision to remove the requirement for Ofsted staff to take LFTs [lateral flow tests] ahead of inspections.
‘Not the time’ to remove Covid testing for Ofsted inspectors
“With case numbers still incredibly high and education and social care settings still struggling with Covid-related staff absences, now is not the time to remove one of the key mitigations of community transmission.
“FDA members certainly do not want to add to staff absence in the sector, further disrupting the care and learning of children and young people. Continued, funded use of LFTs would give greater confidence to all stakeholders.”
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We are concerned about the government’s decision to abandon the availability of free tests for staff and eligible students, and it follows that we are also concerned if testing is also being withdrawn from Ofsted inspectors.
“These are individuals who are going in and out of schools and could catch the virus, become ill themselves, and transmit it to others. This is obviously all part of the government’s living with Covid ‘strategy’ and we accept that there is a point at which this must happen.
“Our concern is about timing given that Covid rates are very high at the moment and exams are just a few weeks away. It would surely make sense to continue to make testing available until the other side of those exams. The Easter holidays should provide some respite but experience tells us that rates can climb very quickly again when term resumes.”
An Ofsted spokesperson said: “In line with the latest government guidance, our inspectors are no longer required to routinely test before every visit.
“However, we continue to ask inspectors who are experiencing symptoms to test before visiting education or care settings for vulnerable children or adults, such as special schools for children with medical conditions and homes for disabled children.”
The government announced in February that weekly Covid testing in secondary schools was ending, and free tests are no longer available to the general public from this month.
Strike ballot among Ofsted staff over office working
Ofsted has also narrowly avoided potential strike action among some of its office workforce - over the need for in-person working - after a union strike ballot was one vote short of the number of staff needed for it to be valid.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) called a strike ballot last month over what it described as a “forced” requirement that Ofsted offices are 60 per cent occupied by staff every working day.
In last month’s announcement, the union said that staff were only given a week’s notice of the 60 per cent requirement, which the PCS claimed was “unparalleled in other government departments”.
Results from its ballot this week show that of the members voting, 90.4 per cent voted for action short of a strike, with 78.4 per cent voting for strike action.
However, the ballot was one vote short of meeting the 50 per cent of the membership threshold needed to be valid.
The PCS and Ofsted held talks on the office working issue yesterday.
They have issued a joint statement today, which says: “We believe we have begun productive discussions and ones which will continue over the coming weeks.
“Both parties will continue to work together to seek a mutually agreeable resolution to the ongoing trade dispute regarding the 60 per cent return to offices.
“Ofsted have agreed to consider exploring the possibility of additional criteria for exceptions to meet the aspirations of PCS members and Ofsted staff. We will be discussing this further in the coming weeks.”
