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21 April 2026

Tag: Ofsted

Speed read: Ofsted’s tips for a ‘high-quality’ music curriculum

Ofsted has warned that simply having music lessons on the timetable “is not enough” and schools need to set ambitious expectations in the subject following its latest research review. The schools watchdog has published its latest review which focuses on music provision. It sets out some of the key-principles Ofsted has identified of teaching a […]

Ofsted maths review ‘needs to be withdrawn’, experts warn

Academics want Ofsted to withdraw its review into teaching “high-quality” maths as they say that half the research cited was either misused or contradicted the watchdog’s findings. The Association of Mathematics Education Teachers (AMET) is planning to lodge an official complaint after it investigated the maths review. Published in May, it was the third in […]

Top grammar school rated ‘inadequate’ over sexism ‘hostile environment’

A “pervading culture” of sexism and racism at a leading grammar school created a “hostile environment” leaving pupils feeling “unsafe”, an unpublished Ofsted report has found. Colchester Royal Grammar School has been downgraded from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’ following a no notice inspection by the watchdog in May. The unpublished report, seen by Schools Week, found […]

Ofsted: ‘Confused’ schools want clearer guidance on LGBT teaching

Schools want clearer guidance to help them teach about “sensitive and difficult subjects” like sexual orientation and gender reassignment, amid “confusion” about their obligations, Ofsted has warned. The schools watchdog today released research commentary on teaching about sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment. Ofsted said there was “a significant lack of research” into how schools […]

Revised safety and sexual harassment guidance: 8 things you need to know

The government has issued beefed-up guidance on tackling sexual misconduct in schools, warning downplaying it as “banter” can normalise abuse and “over-friendly” staff should be reported. The Department for Education has published a draft of revised statutory guidance on keeping children safe in education,  with more than 60 updates to the previous version released only […]

‘Permissive’ national curriculum gives schools too much freedom, says Ofsted director

The national curriculum has become too “permissive”, and making more subjects compulsory at key stage 4 could help “lever change and improvement”, a senior Ofsted official has said. Sean Harford told the House of Lords youth unemployment committee yesterday that schools had responded “in a way that has been unhelpful” to decisions to stop requiring […]

Spielman: It’s not unfair deprived schools get lower grades

Ofsted’s chief inspector has denied it is “unfair” that deprived schools are more likely to receive lower grades than those in more affluent areas. Amanda Spielman appeared at the Festival of Education yesterday and was quizzed over the controversial issue. She had previously stated the problem was offset as poorer schools often out-performed their richer […]

Ofsted chief: Teachers should not be policed by ‘militant activism’

Teachers should not be policed by “self-appointed moral guardians” or be forced to change the way they teach in the face of “militant activism”,  the chief inspector of Ofsted has warned. Amanda Spielman told the Festival of Education today that while activism that broadens debate and brings about long-term change was welcome, she worried about […]