Routine Ofsted inspections will be put on hold for the final week of term to give schools time to consider contingency measures for coping with the Omicron variant in January.
However, the Department for Education has said that it expects schools to continue to deliver in-person teaching for the remainder of the term, following similar comments from prime minister Boris Johnson at a press conference to announce Plan B changes last night.
There is also no change to the DfE’s stance on masks, which are recommended in communal areas for staff and pupils in Year 7 and above, but not in classrooms - unless this is recommended by local directors of public health.
It was revealed earlier this month that masks were being recommended in communal areas of schools again this term as a temporary measure amid concerns about the Omicron variant.
Ofsted paused for a week
Following the announcement of a national Plan B to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid, the DfE said in an email to school leaders today that Ofsted will not be carrying out routine inspections next week.
Ofsted is also not going to carry out inspections in the first week of the new term in secondary schools as they are expected to be carrying on site testing of pupils upon their return - as Tes revealed last month.
The DfE said in the email today: “We continue to learn more about the impacts of the Omicron variant. To prepare for any possible changes in public health advice, all education and childcare settings should now revisit their existing outbreak plans to ensure they are well prepared for any future changes and ensure they are familiar with the Contingency Framework Guidance.”
It adds: “Early years settings, schools and colleges will be using the final days of term to put in place these measures and consider contingency measures for January.
“In order to do that contingency planning, the secretary of state for education and Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector have agreed that early years settings, schools and colleges will not be inspected next week, unless there are safeguarding concerns.”
DfE expects in-person learning to continue
The guidance also says that the government expects in-person learning to continue despite its national recommendation that people work from home where possible.
The email adds: “Education and childcare leaders are best placed to determine the workforce required to meet the needs of their children, pupils and students.
“Education and childcare leaders will need to consider whether it is possible for specific staff undertaking certain roles to work from home while minimising disruption to face-to-face education and care.”
