The latest YouGov survey, published on the same day as
our annual report and accounts, found that Ofsted's inspection
reports are well-received by parents.
Over 4 in 5 parents think that Ofsted’s inspection reports are
useful, a YouGov survey has
found. And interim findings from our own survey of schools,
colleges and further education and skills providers are similarly
positive. These findings are published today in Ofsted’s annual report and
accounts 2019–20. Almost 9 out of 10 said that they were
satisfied or very satisfied with the inspection experience and
that the feedback would help them to improve.
Eight out of 10 parents feel that the inspection report they read
portrayed the school (or other type of provider) accurately. The
survey also found that three-quarters of parents said that the
information we provide is reliable and two-thirds of parents
agree that our work helps to improve the standard of education.
Our new approach to inspection
Last autumn, we changed the way we inspect schools with our
new education inspection
framework. Since then, our inspection reports have placed a
greater emphasis on what it’s like to be a child or young person
in that school, as well as having a new focus on the curriculum.
This also applies to early years and further education. When it
comes to the curriculum, half of parents now feel that their
child’s school places as much focus on what is being taught as it
does on getting good results.
Around half of schools and further education and skills providers
responded to a survey evaluating our new approach to inspection.
Close to 9 out of 10 are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the
inspection experience and felt that the feedback inspectors gave
on the quality of education will help them to improve.
The survey comes soon after we announced our approach to
inspection from September. Inspectors will carry out visits to
schools and colleges. We will publish the outcomes of these
collaborative conversations with school and college leaders in a
brief letter, so that parents can understand what steps are being
taken to help children back into full time education.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, said:
I am really pleased that Ofsted remains a trusted voice for
parents when it comes to their children’s education and that
they see us as a force for improvement in schools.
And it’s heartening that nearly 9 out of 10 school and college
leaders said that the feedback they received through their
inspection would help them to improve. That’s the difference we
want to make.
Recent months have been tough for children, parents and those
at the front line of our schools. I’m looking forward to pupils
and teachers returning in September. For the first term back,
we won’t be inspecting schools as they get back on their feet.
Instead our visits in the autumn term will help parents and the
government understand what schools and colleges are doing to
bring pupils up to speed.
This is the fifth year that Ofsted has carried out this research.
YouGov carried out the survey of 1,101 parents between 12 and 25
February.
The annual report and accounts
The Ofsted annual report and
accounts 2019-20 shows that we carried out 3,200 school
inspections, 8,500 early years inspections and 200 further
education and skills inspections under the education inspection
framework. It also shows that we carried out 3,167 social care
inspections; 25 local area inspections, along with the Care
Quality Commission; and 15 initial teacher education inspections.
Routine inspections are currently suspended, but we have
continued to carry out emergency inspections of education and
social care settings when we have had concerns about safety.
