Commenting on Ofsted’s plans to visit schools and colleges in the
autumn term, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association
of School and College Leaders, said:
“We don’t support Ofsted’s approach to visiting schools in the
autumn term. We can see the value in Ofsted visiting a sample of
schools to gain a general picture of the response to the
educational challenges caused by the Covid pandemic.
“However, Ofsted appears to be fixated on the idea of publishing
letters about each of the schools it visits. Even though these
letters will not give a graded judgement, this will make visits
seem like inspection by another name. It is frustrating that
Ofsted in one breath agrees with the need to suspend inspections
while schools reintegrate children and manage safety measures,
and then in the next breath decides on an approach which
contradicts that objective.
“We doubt that Ofsted visits in the autumn term are a priority
for parents who will be more concerned about their school being
able to concentrate on the practicalities of safety measures and
catch-up support. These practicalities represent a huge
logistical challenge and the added pressure of an Ofsted visit in
the way that is planned isn’t helpful in this context.
“We have repeatedly warned Ofsted about the perception it will
create by publishing letters, and urged it to give schools at
least one term’s grace to cope with an unprecedented set of
challenges, but it seems that it simply cannot help itself.
“We are not convinced either about Ofsted’s determination to
resume routine inspections in January 2021. This plan may quickly
unravel in the event of local lockdowns over the next few weeks
and months.
“We note that this date will be kept under review and we urge the
inspectorate to be prepared to change its plans.”
