Ofsted promises to make improvements to inspection process

• Ofsted’s chief inspector puts out statement outlining priorities and changes to inspection.
• Inspectorate provides more detail about changes to the complaints process.
• Statement is in reaction to increased calls for change to the inspection system.

In a statement, Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman, states, ‘In recent weeks there has been much debate about reform of school inspections. The media has carried stories from teachers about their past Ofsted experiences and calls for change from unions and others. I want to acknowledge the continuing debate and the strength of feeling, and I want to set out some of the things we’re doing and reflect on the suggestions of more radical reform’

'Ofsted is always looking for ways to improve.'

She goes on to say that Ofsted is ‘always looking out for ways it can improve’ and that they ‘regularly discuss changes with representative groups, unions, ministers and others. Spielman explains that since the tragic news about Ruth Perry first broke, ‘conversations have intensified’ and she wants to ‘bring some of that out into the open’, outlining some changes the inspectorate is making.

While the statement, the second released by the inspectorate within the last month, focuses on school inspection, Ofsted confirmed to Nursery World the following will also apply to early years settings.

• Needing to see that childcare providers and schools understand and manage the risks of children coming to harm and that prompt action is taken when it happens.
• Making the complaints process more responsive so issues can be addressed during the inspection rather than considered afterwards.

Last month, Nursery World reported that Ofsted was looking into its complaint process.

The statement also provides clarification about who can sit-in on meetings between inspectors and school staff – all heads and teachers can have a colleague from the school or trust join them if they wish, and they can share the provisional outcome with others in confidence. Ofsted confirmed that the same applies to childcare settings.  

It states, ‘One of the most critical areas we look at on inspection is safeguarding. Keeping children safe is so important that a school can be graded inadequate if safeguarding is poor – even if everything else in a school is done well. We won’t be soft on safeguarding, but it’s an area which isn’t always well-understood. It’s sometimes mis-characterised as an exercise in paperwork, but as everyone who works in schools knows, it’s much more than that. We need to see that schools understand and manage the risks of children coming to harm. We need to know that prompt action is taken when it happens.’

Complaints process

On changes to the complaints process Spielman says, ‘We are currently piloting changes to our complaints process which I hope will make it more responsive – so that issues can be addressed during the inspection rather than considered afterwards, which creates delay and frustration. I also want to ensure that when a complaint is made about our work, people feel that they have had a fair and thorough hearing.’

Within the statement she also confirms that current inspection grades will remain.

'Ofsted is not deaf to the calls for change'.

Spielman concludes by saying that Ofsted is ‘not deaf to the calls for change, or insensitive to the needs of schools and their staff’, and they will continue to listen carefully to the experiences and views of those we inspect.

She adds, ‘I’m sure the changes described here do not go far or fast enough for some, but I’ve also tried to explain the complexities and boundaries within which we do our important work.’

‘The part we play is small in comparison to those who work in our schools – but it’s in children’s interests that we work constructively together. In that spirit, we will continue to explore ways to make our work as effective and collaborative as it can be.’

Education secretary response

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said, ‘Nothing is more important than keeping children safe. I am clear that we will not water down crucial safeguarding standards that underpin Ofsted’s role.

‘I have always said I will listen to the views of teachers. Following a positive meeting with His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Ofsted will intensify its work to reassure leaders and teachers, including making sure they feel safeguarding is considered proportionally in overall school judgements.

‘Parents rightly want to know how their child’s school is doing and I fully support our approach to providing a clear one-word rating to inform their decisions.’

The NDNA said 'a fair and transparent complaints process is vital' and that this must come out of the review process.

• Look out for our May issue, out next week, featuring the findings from our survey on childcare settings' Ofsted experiences.