The proportion of Ofsted inspections that have been complained about has increased by 39 per cent in a year, according to figures in the inspectorate’s new annual report.

Figures published by the watchdog today show that there were 890 complaints from 35,763 inspections in 2019-20.

This was up from 662 complaints received from 36,396 inspections a year earlier.

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However Ofsted has also published figures today which show that almost nine out of 10 schools or other providers said that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their inspection experience and that the feedback would help them to improve.

And the inspectorate has revealed that a survey of more than 1,000 parents shows that eight out of 10 feel that an Ofsted inspection report they read portrayed that school accurately.

The survey found that three-quarters of parents said  the information Ofsted provided was reliable and two-thirds of parents agreed that the inspectorate helps to improve the standard of education. 

The total number of complaints Ofsted received represents 2.5 per cent of the total number of inspections carried out - compared with 1.8 per cent the previous year - meaning the proportion of inspections attracting complaints rose by 39 per cent in a single year.

The Ofsted report shows that around 19 per cent of all complaints investigated this year had an aspect upheld or partially upheld, a reduction from 22 per cent the previous year.

As a result of investigations, Ofsted changed the overall effectiveness judgement for 12 inspection reports and decided that 13 inspections were incomplete, leading to inspectors carrying out a further visit to gather additional evidence.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Ofsted would be consulting on changes to the way it handles complaints.

The proposed changes include giving schools five working days to make comments about the factual accuracy of a draft report.  Under the current arrangements, schools normally get one working day.

Ofsted is also proposing to consider and respond to formal complaints from schools before it publishes an inspection report if these complaints are “submitted promptly.”

The inspectorate’s annual report said that the consultation has been extended because of the Covid-19 outbreak.  The outcome of this consultation is set to be published this summer.