This issue of Ofsted News focuses on the Annual Report for 2008/09. This is the second Annual Report in which I have been able to present a complete year’s evidence from the full range of Ofsted’s remit. This includes evidence from almost 40,000 inspections of childcare, children’s social care, local authority services for children, schools, colleges, initial teacher education, adult learning, provision for young people in secure accommodation and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

This is a substantial evidence base and I was pleased to report it shows much that is positive about the services used by children and learners in England. Nearly seven out of ten schools were good or outstanding - more than ever before. Nearly two thirds of childcare was good or outstanding in 2008/09, higher than in the previous year. The majority of colleges (63%) inspected in 2008/09 were judged good or outstanding, with an increase since 2005/06. And nearly two thirds of children’s homes were good or outstanding.