The change will mean schools rated as outstanding by
Ofsted will no longer be exempt from routine
inspection, as is currently the case, and underlines
the government’s position that school inspection serves
a vital purpose in improving standards and behaviour.
Under the proposals in the consultation being launched
today (10 January), all outstanding schools and
colleges will be brought back into a regular inspection
cycle – with Ofsted visiting every 4 to 5 years. This
will affect around 3,700 schools and colleges rated
outstanding when the exemption is lifted in September.
Ending the exemption, which was introduced in 2012,
will mean all parents have up to date information about
every school and can be confident that their children’s
schools are continuing to deliver the best education.
It will also help to maintain the rising standards that
have enabled schools to help pupils get to grips with
the new, more demanding curriculum at both primary and
secondary level.
Education Secretary said:
Parents want to know that they are making the best,
most informed choices about their children’s
education. Making sure that all schools are regularly
inspected means they will benefit from the expert
insight Ofsted provides when making these decisions.
We know parents trust Ofsted – and with good reason.
It serves a valuable purpose as the only organisation
that gives a clear, accessible and impartial view on
school and college performance.
But it’s also far more than that – it’s a driver of
improvement. Although we continue to trust our best
schools and colleges to get on with the job of
educating, without Ofsted standards would go
unchecked and the exemption meant there is often not
an up to date picture.
Last year the Department for Education announced plans
to remove the exemption that means schools judged
outstanding by Ofsted are not subject to routine
inspection.
The proposals in the consultation, which will be
subject to parliamentary approval, will prioritise
those schools that have gone the longest without
inspection. Ofsted is preparing so that it is ready to
inspect from September 2020.
It means every school in the country will receive
regular inspection, giving parents a clear picture of
the standard of schools in their area.
The exemption was introduced in 2012 in part so that
Ofsted could focus on failing and underperforming
schools. Standards have risen since then, with the
percentage of schools graded inadequate or require
improvement dropping from 33% in 2012 to just 14% in
August 2019, so now is the right time to end the
exemption and restore universal inspection.