Ofsted

Revealed: How Ofsted will develop plans to inspect inclusion

Watchdog has so far provided little detail on what metrics will be used to judge inclusion for incoming school report cards

Watchdog has so far provided little detail on what metrics will be used to judge inclusion for incoming school report cards

Ofsted has provided further details on how it will draw up plans to assess whether schools are inclusive in new inspections.

The inspectorate has pledged to introduce a new “criterion” for inclusion in the inspection report cards set to be rolled out for schools from September next year.

The tricky issue of how inclusivity will be measured is due to be consulted on, but Ofsted last month awarded the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) charity a £90,000 seven-month contract to help it “conceptualise vulnerability and inclusion”.

This research will aim to answer how Ofsted can “better understand vulnerability and its complexity” so it can assess inclusive practice, terms of reference published today state.

Research in Practice, part of the NCB, will also look into how vulnerability is currently understood in the education and social care sectors, including the “strength and limitations of different understandings”.

What’s the approach?

NCB will carry out a “rapid evidence” review of existing literature around the definitions and understanding of inclusion in schools and other settings Ofsted inspects and regulates.

The charity will appoint an expert academic reference panel to provide quality assurance for the project, and engage with a representative range of stakeholders, such as pupils, professionals and senior leaders across sectors including education.

Key findings from both will be collated into a report to help Ofsted “better understand vulnerability”. The inspectorate said this will inform its future inspection work.

Ofsted aims to publish the findings of this research “anticipated in 2025”.

It has provided little detail so far on what metrics it will use to judge inclusion.

But it will “evaluate whether schools are providing high-quality support for disadvantaged and vulnerable children”. 

The watchdog has said it will consult on the new report card, including the “criterion” on inclusion, in January.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Ofsted

ASCL joins Ofsted preparation ‘cottage industry’ it once criticised

Watchdog urges schools not to 'spend limited resources' on preparing for inspection after union launches paid-for webinars

John Dickens
Ofsted

‘No real subject inspection left’: Spielman slams Ofsted reforms

Report cards will 'take out everything that amounts to a serious review of what's taught and how it's taught',...

Freddie Whittaker
Ofsted

Union tells school leaders to demand Ofsted risk assessment

NAHT says move is about ‘preventing avoidable harm – including the most serious outcomes – arising from a flawed...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Ofsted

Schools more positive about Ofsted inspections as headline grades ditched

But analysis shows those taking part in survey are more likely to have had positive Ofsted outcomes

Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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