Ofsted

Academy body role on Ofsted recruitment panel criticised

Confederation of School Trusts head will advise on the appointment of the next chief inspector

Confederation of School Trusts head will advise on the appointment of the next chief inspector

20 Mar 2023, 5:00

More from this author

Ofsted

A former Ofsted director has criticised the involvement of an academy trust trade body in the recruitment of the watchdog’s next chief inspector.

An advisory panel to shift applications, run interviews and recommend a shortlist to the education secretary includes Leora Cruddas, the chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST).

The confederation represents 64 per cent of the academy sector in England.

But Luke Tryl, who ran corporate strategy at Ofsted, said a “big part” of the job was “being able to stand firm, particularly when the big trusts, which have a lot of political influence and a lot of influence over the sector, are pushing back on things”.

“We wouldn’t let the water company trade body sit on Ofwat interviews and afraid this leaves me feeling uncomfortable,” he tweeted this week.

An advertisement for the chief inspector job states that candidates must have “significant experience” at a senior level in schools or trusts.

Sir David Carter, the former national schools commissioner, said having someone on the panel who “understands the sector, working with others to advise, is not unhelpful”.

“I would much rather we get people…who are able to assess the merits of the school leadership experience that is relevant to such a crucial role.”

The panel also includes Dr Jo Saxton, Ofqual’s chief regulator, Dame Christine Ryan, Ofsted’s chair, and a senior Department for Education official.

The CST declined to comment.

More from this theme

Ofsted

‘Consultation not referendum’: Oliver defends Ofsted’s ‘Big Listen’

Union leader raises 'significant concerns' about the design of Ofsted's consultation

Freddie Whittaker
Ofsted

‘Big Listen’: Pupils asked for views on how Ofsted can improve

'Feedback will help us make sure we're doing our job the best way we can,' says watchdog chief

Lucas Cumiskey
Ofsted

Ofsted: ‘Constrained’ funding could ‘compromise’ inspection reliability

Watchdog's chair warns actions to absorb rising costs are a 'short-term fix' and will likely 'store up cost pressures'

Schools Week Reporter
Ofsted

Ofsted chief told of ousted heads’ gagging clause ordeals

Sister of Ruth Perry says use of non-disclosure agreements after bad Ofsteds could be stopping heads raising further system...

Lucas Cumiskey
Ofsted

Ofsted eyes tweaks to inspector role to boost expertise

As trusts poach inspectors and 'highest ever' levels of apathy towards joining inspectorate, how will Ofsted boost its expertise?

Lucas Cumiskey
Ofsted

Ofsted: Give us £8.5m to deliver more in-depth inspections

Watchdog also warns declining inspector pay means it is losing staff to academy trusts

Lucas Cumiskey

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One comment

  1. Peter Read

    Dr Jo Saxton is of course the previous highly controversial CEO of Turner Schools in Folkestone whose lead school, Folkestone Academy had possibly the highest-ever number of fixed-term exclusions in one year under her leadership, at 1211. This was despite her support for the claim that ‘behaviours that lead to exclusions happen when students perceive there to be no limits and no expectations and no rules’. Just one example of a disastrous track record in Trust performance, protected by her establishment background which means she is surely even more unsuitable to be assisting in the appointment of the next Ofsted chief inspector