Ofsted has sought to reassure teachers that computers will not be making decisions on the inspections of schools.
The inspectorate had revealed that supervised machine learning will be used in helping to decide whether to inspect “good” and “outstanding” schools.
It has created an algorithm that “has effectively produced a probability of a forthcoming inspection being less than good”, which is known as the “raw risk score”.
However, Ofsted’s national director of education, Sean Harford, has said that this does not mean decisions would be taken without human intervention or that inspectors would pre-judge an inspection outcome.
In a blog, he wrote: “I can understand why the words ‘machine learning algorithm’ gave some people a bit of a fright. But, in reality, our risk assessment has changed very little since the previous methodology note was published.
“Ofsted has risk-assessed schools and academies for many years in order to help allocate inspection resource where it is most needed. It has never been used to pre-judge inspection grades.”
Computer ‘helps to identify potential decline’
He added: “Like any modern organisation, we are keen to embrace the benefits of technology. But while it may sound ominous, ‘machine learning’ simply refers to a computer programme that helps us identify potential decline in a school.”
Mr Harford said that, as before, senior HMIs will “thoroughly review the selection of schools for inspection and well-trained, experienced school inspectors will inspect on site”.
Ofsted has recently announced that it is extending the timescale for when “good” schools can expect to be reinspected from three to four years. It is also bringing the reinspection of “inadequate” schools in line with those which “require improvement” - meaning reinspections will now take place within 30 months.
Previously, schools with serious weaknesses would expect another inspection within 18 months and those in special measures within 24 months.
Ofsted has said the change will give regional directors more flexibility in deciding when to reinspect schools in categories of concern. The change to the inspection timetable is also expected to save the education watchdog £2.3 million.
