NASUWT comments on plans to lift the inspection exemption for "outstanding" schools

Commenting on the proposals to scrap the exemption of schools rated as outstanding from routine Ofsted inspections, Ms Chris Keates, Acting General Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:

“The NASUWT has always been clear that all schools should be subject to a common inspection system. For this reason, the Union has continued to call for the ending of the exemption given to outstanding schools from inspection, not least because long periods without inspection have the potential to undermine public confidence in those schools. Today’s announcement is therefore welcome if somewhat overdue. 

“The NASUWT welcomed the greater emphasis placed in the current Ofsted framework on assessing schools’ performance in tackling excessive and unnecessary workload burdens on staff and it is important that those schools which have previously been rated as outstanding are subject to scrutiny on this important matter.

“The NASUWT would argue that for a school to be rated as outstanding it should continue to demonstrate publicly that it promotes the wellbeing of its staff, which is vital to ensuring the provision of high standards of education for pupils.”