Ofsted | Schools Week

DfE considering ‘accelerated inspections’ to help Ofsted tackle Covid backlog

Gavin Williamson has revealed the government is looking to accelerate the timetable for Ofsted inspections in order to address the backlog of schools due a visit. The education secretary was questioned by the Parliamentary education committee this morning on the possibility of speeding up the process for schools left waiting for inspections, which were suspended […]

An inset day on sexual abuse ‘won’t cut it’, says Spielman

Amanda Spielman has warned schools that a one-off safeguarding inset day alone “won’t cut it” as the sector looks to address sexual abuse and harassment among pupils. In response to Ofsted’s review of sex abuse in schools, the Department for Education pledged to “encourage” schools to include relationship, health and sex education curriculum and safeguarding […]

Speed read: Ofsted’s guide to a ‘high-quality’ geography curriculum

Ofsted has highlighted some of the key principles of teaching a “high-quality” geography curriculum in its latest research review. The inspectorate today published the fifth in a series of subject research reviews. It has previously covered languages, maths, science and religious education. Ofsted said the research reviews would be a useful tool in helping teachers […]

Ofsted plans expansion of area SEND inspections to include all pupils in AP

Ofsted plans to “broaden the scope” of its area SEND inspections to look at support for all pupils in alternative provision, amid warnings that the pandemic has exacerbated issues for some of the most vulnerable children. Chief inspector Amanda Spielman said the “intertwined” nature of commissioning and response strategies for SEND and AP provision meant […]

Spielman: Don’t ‘chop out’ safeguarding from Ofsted, give us cash to inspect it properly

Chief inspector Amanda Spielman has rejected calls to “chop out” safeguarding from Ofsted’s remit, and said the watchdog could do more with increased funding. Spielman was questioned by the Parliamentary education committee this morning following the release last week of Ofsted’s review into school sex abuse. The review accused school leaders and teachers of “consistently […]

Gibb slams Catholic RSE resources in rape culture clampdown

A minister has slammed Catholic RSE materials portraying women as “receivers” in sexual relationships, just a few months after he said using the resources was a decision for schools. The warning by schools minister Nick Gibb, and an Ofsted visit to one school using the resources, suggest a tougher government stance after a wave of […]

Ofsted: No mark-down if schools let year 11s leave early

Ofsted has clarified schools won’t be marked down for letting their year 11 cohort leave before the end of the academic year, despite its chief inspector raising concerns over the practice. Amanda Spielman told The Guardian last week that it was “concerning” to see secondary schools allowing pupils to end the summer term early due […]

School drops sports course questioned by Ofsted

A Liverpool school has dropped a controversial sports science qualification that Ofsted said might not be in the pupils’ “best interests”. St Francis Xavier’s College, one of ten schools found not to be providing effective education during the pandemic, said it decided to drop the course before the inspectors’ visit. A monitoring inspection conducted in […]

England’s largest academy trust gives up struggling school

England’s biggest multi-academy trust is set to hand a struggling Leeds school to another chain, ending a seven-year effort to turn around its fortunes. United Learning will transfer John Smeaton Academy to The Gorse Academies Trust (TGAT) in September. Sir John Townsley, TGAT’s chief executive, told parents in a letter that pupils would benefit from […]