New Ofsted Appointment

Sir Martyn Oliver will take over from Amanda Spielman as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, following his appointment being approved by the Privy Council.

Sir Martyn is the chief executive of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust, Wakefield.  He is reported as having said he would be empathetic, compassionate and understanding of the challenges that those working in education face.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, Chief Inspector prior to Amanda Spielman has just told MPs that single-phrase judgments offer parents ‘false comfort’. He believes that Ofsted had moved too far away from data and judgments are much more subjective on the curriculum.

He described a ‘ridiculous position’ of schools with low progress and ‘terrible outcomes’ getting ‘good’ judgments, adding: “It really annoys successful headteachers when they see that happening.”

His comments echo those of incoming chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver, who told MPs earlier this year he had concerns over ‘consistency’.

Oliver said it was “difficult to explain how you get [schools with] some of the worst outcomes in the country getting a ‘good’ inspection”.