Ofsted’s remote monitoring inspections will be reduced to one day after February half-term, it has been announced.
The schools watchdog updated its guidance this morning to state the length of its current inspections will be reduced going forward.
Updated guidance from the inspectorate stated: “Before February 2021 half term, remote monitoring inspections will usually last for 2 days and involve 2 HMI. After February half term, remote monitoring inspections will normally last for 1 day and involve 2 HMI.”
The start and end time of each day will be discussed between the lead inspector and headteacher during the notification call.
The call will also cover the logistics of carrying out the inspection remotely.
An Ofsted spokesperson added: “We’re now confident that the visits can be done effectively in a single day, rather than two – so we wanted to make that adjustment, recognising where schools are and the challenges they face.”
Since January Ofsted has been conducting remote monitoring inspections in place of its normal Section 5 full inspections due to the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent third national lockdown.
While it had originally intended to conduct the inspections in person it u-turned on plans following pressure from its own inspectors to suspend routine on-site visits.
According to Ofsted the focus of the monitoring inspections is to assure parents and support school improvement.
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