Ofsted consider giving schools better information on inspection dates

It is being reported that Ofsted is set to give schools more information on when they should expect to be inspected.

Ofsted have admitted that the Covid pandemic created increased uncertainty about the timings of inspection, with ‘outstanding’ rated schools having no idea about when they will next be visited. Last month Chief inspector Amanda Spielman said that, for ‘outstanding’ schools that are yet to be inspected, Ofsted will provide additional clarity about the broad timing of their next visit.

However, Ofsted are clear that they will not tell people inspection dates in advance as they don’t want people to prepare for inspection, but they do understand that people do need guidance as to when to expect an inspection.

Ofsted believe that schools do really well when they don’t prepare for inspection, they just do the right thing for their young people and they are keen to not shift the focus to things schools think inspectors will want to see that aren’t in young people’s interests and ultimately, means schools are wasting time. They are also keen to avoid potentially intensifying the stress around a visit if the visit date is more precise.

Would you like to hear direct from Ofsted about what they expect? Make sure you book yourself into our DAG Summer Term Seminar on Wednesday 14th June 2023 at 6pm to hear from James McNeillie Ofsted’s Regional Director for the South West. He will be talking to DAG members about the inspection process and their focus on SEND. Please register in advance for this event via [email protected].