James Carr | Schools Week

Speed read: What Ofsted says works well in remote learning

Ofsted has released a short guide for schools on what is working well within remote education. The piece, by the watchdog’s deputy director Daniel Muijs, is based on research and visits to schools. It comes as Ofsted looks to roll out new ‘supportive’ monitoring inspections in person from next Monday. This is what you need […]

Ofsted inspectors to have Covid tests before visiting schools

Ofsted inspectors will take Covid-19 tests before carrying out on-site monitoring visits later this month, the watchdog has announced. The inspectorate’s new ‘supportive’ monitoring visits will begin from January 18, despite partial school closures having been enacted last week. We are arranging a testing programme, which will enable inspectors to take a test before face-to-face […]

Ofsted deluged with 5,000 emails as parents turn tables on Williamson by reporting ‘superb’ schools

Parents have turned the tables on Gavin Williamson by contacting Ofsted to praise schools and complain about his performance – with the inspectorate being deluged with 5,000 emails since Wednesday. The act of defiance comes as the education secretary advised parents to contact the watchdog if they feel their child’s school isn’t providing “suitable” remote learning. […]

DfE confirms face masks WON’T be compulsory in classrooms

The Department for Education has confirmed face masks will not be compulsory in classrooms following the partial closure of schools. This new guidance is at odds with statements made by a senior DfE official last month who told school leaders the department’s plan was to make it compulsory for pupils in year 7 and upwards, […]

DfE removes ‘highly misleading’ Covid testing guidance

The Department for Education has removed a “highly misleading” letter that had been sent to schools for them to use when explaining the mass Covid testing process to parents. Since Monday, schools have been receiving swab collection kits and necessary PPE to carry out lateral flow testing for staff and pupils. The DfE provided a […]

DfE reveals new remote learning expectations for Covid lockdown 3

The Department for Education has published its expectations for remote learning after warning schools who fail to meet the guidelines could be reported to Ofsted. In new guidance published today it states that parents can lodge a complaint against their children’s school with Ofsted if they have concerns over the “quantity and quality” of the […]

750k laptops target by next week doesn’t include new devices (as PM promised)

The government has set a target of delivering an extra 140,000 laptops by the end of next week – however the commitment does not include any new devices. Boris Johnson’s pledge to provide extra tech for remote education during spring partial school closures is based on a commitment from last year, it has emerged. The […]

New Ofsted monitoring inspections will go ahead this term

Ofsted’s new “supportive” monitoring inspections are set to go ahead despite the partial closure of schools, it has been confirmed. The monitoring inspections were initially announced in December and will see the schools watchdog inspecting schools previously judged ‘inadequate’ and ‘requires improvement’. The inspectorate has now confirmed the monitoring visits will begin from Monday, January […]

Schools failing to meet remote ed expectations should be reported to Ofsted, says Williamson

Parents who feel their child’s school isn’t providing “suitable” remote education should report them to Ofsted, the education secretary has said. Gavin Williamson said today that the government’s “legally-binding requirements” would be “enforced by Ofsted”, and that the watchdog would inspect schools “of any grade” where it has “serious concerns” about the quality of remote […]