The Department for Education have just published the
government’s response to the removal of the outstanding
exemption consultation –
showing majority support for their proposals. They will now be
proceeding with the next steps to remove the
exemption.
Education Secretary,
said:
“Every child deserves an excellent education, giving them the
knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to fulfil their
potential.
“I know parents rely greatly on schools’ Ofsted ratings to give
them confidence in choosing the right school for their child, and
these reforms will give parents even greater confidence, knowing
that every Ofsted rating is up to date and relevant to their
child.
“We will continue to increase parent choice and drive up
standards, as we emerge from the immediate response to the
coronavirus pandemic, continuing to building a stronger school
system that better serves pupils and families across the
country.”
Further information:
- We have published the government’s response to the consultation
on the removal of the exemption from routine inspection for
outstanding schools and colleges, which received high levels of
support from respondents [ https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ofsted-inspection-removal-of-the-outstanding-exemption
]
- We will now seek Parliamentary approval to remove the
exemption, and pending that will reintroduce inspections for
outstanding schools and colleges alongside the restart of routine
inspections for all schools and colleges. Our plan is that this
will be from January 2021, but this is being kept under review.
- Schools and colleges that were judged outstanding in the last
five years receive a lighter touch inspection. If Ofsted think
they are still outstanding they will keep this rating. If Ofsted
think their rating has changed they will receive a full
inspection visit.
- Schools and colleges that received their outstanding judgement
before September 2015 will receive a full inspection.
Martyn Oliver, Chief Executive of Outwood Grange
Academies Trust said:
"As a Trust with eight Ofsted Outstanding schools we welcome the
inclusion of these within the regular Ofsted inspection cycle.
Our schools do not belong to the Trust but to the communities
they serve and Ofsted provides these communities with an
important and trusted externally moderated judgement of the
education and care we give children. No community should be
denied this view of any school at regular intervals."
