Towards new school inspections
Following wide-ranging consultation over the past few months, including a three-month online survey, Ofsted has received generally positive support for the proposal to inspect good and outstanding schools less frequently from September 2009. Those schools, 
which are satisfactory but not improving, are likely to receive closer monitoring.
There was also considerable support for the introduction of a survey to capture the views of school staff. This survey will be piloted during the 2009 spring and summer terms. Parents endorsed the introduction of the surveys to capture the views of parents and pupils.
Project lead, Sue Gregory, said, ‘Proposals regarding unannounced inspections received a less favourable response from the schools sector, but were strongly supported by parents and carers. Because of this mixed response, we will try out unannounced inspections over the coming months to test their feasibility and gain feedback.’
We will also use pilot inspections to test proposals, such as the greater involvement of the school’s senior management team in the inspection, and minimum standards for learners’ outcomes.
Read the summary of responses to the proposals in A focus on improvement: consultation report at this link
Published: 1 December 2008.
