Skip to content
25 April 2026

Become a member today for unlimited access to Schools Week

Enjoy expert journalism on schools policy with fewer ads and exclusive benefits
subscribe

Opinion

The problem isn’t the framework, it’s high-stakes accountability

Ros McMullen gives ‘a big thumbs-up’ to the emphasis on curriculum – although, she says, she struggles with how inspectors will judge its impact I have a confession – I really like Amanda Spielman, our HMCI, and I really like her intentions. I am also one of those who believe schools should be all about […]

5 unintended consequences of the new Ofsted framework

The vast knowledge of HMIs should support and improve schools rather than tell them what they already know, says Vic Goddard Most of you will have seen the film It’s a Wonderful Life, but a quick summary: we don’t know the full impact of our own behaviour on others’ lives – think ripples in a […]

Another expert panel? Let’s ask the real experts about ed tech apps

The expert panel set up to look at tablets and apps for children under five is all very worthy and traditional, says Tony Parkin. But it’s a modern problem that needs a modern solution, such as crowd-sourcing classroom expertise So the Department for Education has decided to set up an expert panel to identify high-quality […]

How Ofsted is trying to tackle the culture of teaching to the test

Inspection should capture the things that no data measure can, says Amanda Spielman. ‘We need to look at how a school has achieved results, not just take them at face value’ I hope that most of you will have seen that we have now published a consultation on our new education inspection framework that we intend […]

Ofsted should stop judging schools and focus on improvement

We need the school inspection process to move from a weak evaluative judgmental one, to focus on improvement first and foremost, says Stephen Tierney Key to having a national inspection system is that the judgements made are reliable. That is, it shouldn’t matter which team of inspectors goes into your school or your child’s school […]

Does Ofsted’s draft inspection framework pass the inclusion test?

The beefed up focus on special needs and disabilities in Ofsted’s draft inspection framework is welcome, but there’s more they could do if they really want to incentivise schools to be inclusive, notes Adam Boddison Earlier this year, I made the case that under Ofsted’s education inspection framework (EIF) no school should be able to […]

Six things we’ve learnt from Ofsted’s new draft inspection framework

Following the publication of Ofsted’s plans for the future of education inspection in England, Ian Hartwright shares his thoughts on the new arrangements 1. Curriculum focus Schools can expect a big shift in emphasis from inspectors in school, ending an obsession with the scrutiny of pupil data and moving to a greater professional discussion on […]

Grammar school opponents need to find some new arguments

The public wants more grammar schools and the academics who oppose them are ignoring some of their arguments in their favour, says Nick Hillman More than half a century after they were all meant to have been killed off, England still has 163 grammar schools. Those that are left are like a baddie in a […]

How can schools reduce teacher sickness?

Hands up if you were ill over Christmas and New Year? If you stayed healthy, then well done you. About half of teachers get sick during the holidays, according to our Teacher Tapp survey data, so be aware it might get you next time! Why are teachers so prone to Christmas illness? In part, it […]