Following the ‘Better inspection for all’ consultation, and the announcement from Sir Michael Wilshaw today about the changes, the new Ofsted Common Inspection Framework 2015 comes into force in September. In our upcoming webinar, education writer and consultant John Viner will detail the changes to inspection.
The new framework will be applicable to all providers from early years to post-16, maintained schools, academies and free schools. For the first time, the framework used with maintained settings will also apply to ‘non-association’ independent schools.
Good schools, academies, and FE and skills providers will be inspected once every three years and inspectors will start with the premise that the school is still good. Inspections will last a day and only spread over two days where inspectors feel there is insufficient evidence. Outstanding schools will not be inspected unless an issue is flagged or a complaint made.
Seven out of 10 will be practitioners from ‘good or outstanding schools and colleges’. Inspectors will make graded judgements across the same four areas, regardless of the setting:
John’s upcoming webinar explains what inspection will look like across these areas and how inspectors will work with the new framework. Register for the webinar.
Building on the existing leadership and management area, the new judgement will take safeguarding into consideration, as well as the effectiveness with which the school promotes equality, diversity and fundamental British values (FBV). The curriculum will continue to be considered as part of this judgement. Reflecting the importance of collaboration between schools, ‘exceptional leaders’ will be acknowledged. When inspectors identify an early years leader, headteacher or college principal who has played a key role in turning around other institutions, Ofsted will send a letter to them acknowledging their leadership as exceptional.
There is an increased emphasis on the importance of developing pupils' knowledge, understanding and skills in all aspects of the curriculum and across key stages – not just English and maths – and assessment in all its forms, following the removal of levels.
Broader than the old Behaviour and Safety judgement, the new inspection area now brings in attendance, managing feelings, keeping healthy and safe, self-confidence, preparation for the next stage in education and employability. SMSC is now included and it is here that schools will be judged on the impact of their strategies to prevent radicalisation of vulnerable young people under the new Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
We have become familiar with a strong inspection focus on achievement, with many recent changes to the curriculum and assessment. Ofsted has stated that, while inspectors will use this data as a starting point in all cases, they will reach the final judgement by considering the information and context of the school or provider, as revealed by the full range of inspection evidence. Inspectors will give most weight to pupils' progress. They will take account of pupils' starting points in terms of their prior attainment and age when evaluating progress.
Webinar: Preparing for the new Ofsted Common Inspection Framework 2015 Tue, Jun 23, 2015 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM BST
The webinar outlines:
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