Amanda Spielman has warned against schools trying to “skid across absolutely everything in a very short time” as they look to make up for lost learning caused by the Covid crisis.
Ofsted’s chief inspector told the Northern Powerhouse Partnership’s Education Summit today that schools faced “tough choices” as they revisited their curriculum in light of the pandemic.
She also said that the watchdog was still working on how it will return to inspections in schools but said Ofsted’s latest framework meant it was well placed to inspect schools without the data provided by league tables.
Ofsted: Question mark over inspectorate’s return next term
Exclusive: 91% of teachers opposed Ofsted comeback plan
Covid: Most pupils have ‘slipped back’ after first lockdown, Ofsted finds
When asked whether schools will need to revisit their curriculum because of the challenges created by the pandemic, Ms Spielman said: “I think every school is already revisiting the curriculum in light of Covid because whether we like it or not a large proportion of children have missed quite a lot, and especially when they are near the end of the key stage, some tough choices have got to be made about what to teach and what not to teach.
“Just to try and skid across absolutely everything in a very short time and pretend it has been covered would do children no favours.
“Schools have got to make intelligent decisions and they are going to be different subject by subject.”
Ms Spielman said there were some things children have done a lot during lockdown and others “where they really haven’t”.
She highlighted music, sport and design technology as subjects that have suffered through Covid-19.
She added: “The general feedback that we have been getting about remote education experience doesn’t suggest that there are that many children who do better with it than being in schools - apart from a few of the most highly motivated and best supported. For the vast majority, the motivation of children has gradually dwindled.
“There is something about human contact human interaction with teachers and peers that is important for all of us to keep ourselves going and motivated and if there is one thing lockdown has shown us I think it is quite how important schools are to communities and society.”
Ofsted had been due to return to full inspections after Easter but updated guidance to schools last week now says that talks with the government are ongoing about the timing and form inspections will take next term “and beyond”.
