ASCL response to suspension of inspections

Responding to today’s announcement that routine Ofsted inspections will be suspended in response to coronavirus, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We are very pleased with this decision. It will be one less thing for schools and colleges to worry about amidst the plethora of problems they face in trying to deal with the current crisis.

“We are also pressing for performance tables to be suspended this year because of the disruption being caused by coronavirus and the fact that it is likely to become much worse.

“Schools and colleges must be free to focus on supporting their students rather than worrying about an accountability system which is not a priority in a time of national emergency.”