Ofsted

Here you will find briefings, news and updates from Ofsted.

Ofsted handbook update September 2022 (11 July 2022)

Ofsted has updated its school inspection handbook, with the changes taking effect from 1st September 2022. You can read more about the changes in this Ofsted news story and a summary of changes document .

Other documents that have been updated include:

Ofsted English research review (23 May 2022)

Ofsted has published its latest subject research review, this time on English. There is also a handy summary too.

Ofsted has now published ten subject research reviews and you can view the full list here.

Early years experts and mentors programme

New guidance (23 May 2022) issued by the DfE provides information and an application for its early years recovery programme.

The programme is being piloted currently and will be rolled out nationally from September 2022.

Ofsted research review on computing 16 May 2022

The latest of Ofsted’s subject research reviews focuses on computing. The report includes the following points:

  • The national curriculum establishes the requirement for all pupils to study computing to the end of key stage 4. As far as academies are concerned, Ofsted says "Our handbook states that ‘academies are expected to offer all pupils a broad curriculum that should be similar in breadth and ambition’.”
  • Research suggests not all pupils in KS3 and KS4 are receiving sufficient curriculum time to learn the computing subject content set out in the national curriculum.
  • Access to computing at GCSE is improving but there are still gaps in provision, with state schools with higher proportions of disadvantaged pupils less likely to offer GCSE in computer science.
  • There are disproportionately few girls in computer science: they make up only 21% of entries at GCSE and only 15% of entries at A level.
  • Research consistently identifies that there is a lack of suitably qualified computing teachers to teach the subject.
  • There are long standing issues in recruiting sufficient computing teachers into ITT.
  • High-quality computing education may have the following features
  • The planned curriculum includes a breadth of knowledge relating to computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
  • Declarative knowledge (‘knowing that’) and procedural knowledge (‘knowing how’) are identified, sequenced and connected in the curriculum.
  • Skilful use of technology is underpinned by procedural and declarative knowledge.

Ofsted’s Strategy 2022-27 (26 April 2022)

Ofsted has published the next iteration of its corporate strategy, spanning the period 2022-27.

Ofsted – amendment to inspection handbooks (14 April 2022)

Ofsted has made an amendment to both the School Inspection Handbook and the Section 8 Inspection Handbook.

Ofsted report on impact of Covid-19 (4 April 2022)

Ofsted has published a second set of reports on the educational impact of Covid-19. You can view the reports here and a press release here.

Ofsted parent view guest accounts (5 April 2022)

Ofsted has updated its Parent View guidance by incorporating a ‘request Parent View guest account’ button which allows schools to provide guest accounts to gather survey entries at parents evenings and school events. The guidance indicates 5 working days’ notice is required before the accounts can be used.

Ofsted inspection of ECF and NPQ programmes

On 2 March 2022, Ofsted published its framework and handbook for inspecting lead providers of early career framework and national professional qualification programmes.

ISDR – amended guidance (28 February 2022)

The inspection data summary report (IDSR) for primary and secondary schools guidance has been updated to reflect the new web-based IDSR format, new data received since their last release and the integration of school sixth form guidance.

Ofsted Parent View management information – updated 25 February 2022

Ofsted’s latest termly update of the parent view management information has taken place. You can view the spreadsheet here, which contains parent view submissions for schools that were open and eligible for inspection by Ofsted this academic year.

Ofsted deferrals

Ofsted have released the latest update (24 February 2022) on the rate of deferral approvals, for the period from January to 18 February.

Securing good attendance and tackling persistent absence – Ofsted research and analysis (7 February 2022)

As part of its research and analysis, Ofsted has published Securing good attendance and tackling persistent absence. In this short report, they look at different aspects of attendance and how schools tackle the challenges they face.

Ofsted research into education recovery (16 December 2021)

Ofsted has published several research reports looking at education recovery in schools, early years and further education. You can read the collection here.

Deferring Ofsted Inspections

Ofsted has amended its guidance " December 2021) on deferring Ofsted inspections to clarify how Ofsted will consider requests for deferrals, including those related to Covid-19.

Ofsted announcement (16 November 2021)

HMCI Amanda Spielman has announced that Ofsted has been given funding through the Spending Review 2021 to ensure that all schools and colleges will be inspected at least once by summer 2025.

Ofsted blog and monthly management information (10 November 2021)

Ofsted has published its first monthly management data release of this academic year (as at 31st October 2021), and an accompanying blog from Chris Russell, National Director for Education, discussing inspections since September.

Ofsted’s risk assessment methodology for good state-funded schools – amended 2 November 2021

Ofsted has amended its risk assessment methodology for good state-funded schools.

Positive Environments where children can flourish – updated Ofsted guidance

Ofsted updated its guidance (6 October 2021) for inspectors on physical intervention to explain the importance of protecting and promoting children’s rights, recognise that restraint negatively impacts children’s mental health and well-being and highlight the importance of taking positive steps to understand children’s communication, and to identify triggers for and problem-solve difficult situations by taking positive steps to defuse situations. The guidance includes information about how inspectors will explore the culture of the residential setting or school through an understanding of the role of leaders in overseeing staff practice and outcomes for children. There are added links in the guidance on managing restraints in secure training centres and under-18 young offender institutions and on reducing the need for restraint and restrictive intervention.

Ofsted's inspection data summary report (IDSR)

Ofsted has published new information (September 2021) about the IDSR:

  • Next IDSR release date
  • Which data will have been updated
  • How to use 2019 data
  • New terminology for exclusions
  • Integration of school sixth form data redevelopment project

Ofsted updated guidance (24 August 2021)

The guidanceon ‘incomplete inspections’ has been updated to give further clarification on the steps that will be taken if Ofsted decide that a further visit is necessary to gather additional evidence to complete the inspection.

Ofsted has updated its guidancefor inspectors on how to inspect safeguarding.

Ofsted guidance on how new schools are selected for inspection – updated

This document (26 July 2021) outlines the situation for new schools.

Ofsted EYFS in schools – new guidance (22 July 2021)

Ofsted has published a new guidance document intended to bring clarity to how EYFS will be inspected from September 2021. You can read the full document here.

Ofsted’s research review of the music curriculum

Ofsted’s research review of the music curriculum (12 July 2021.

Ofsted research review on history education

The latest in Ofsted’s series of research reviews focusses on history education (14 July 2021).

Ofsted research commentary: teaching about sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment

Ofsted has published (6 July 2021) an article by Chris Jones, Ofsted’s Director, Corporate Strategy, on research into teaching about the protected characteristics of sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment in England’s schools.

Changes to Ofsted framework to reflect the report on sexual abuse

Ofsted has amended the School Inspection Handbook (28 June 2021) to reflect the outcomes of the report on sexual abuse in schools and colleges.

Ofsted research review on geography

Ofsted’s has announced (17 June 2021) the publication of its latest subject research review, this time on geography. You can read the full report here. This is the fifth of Ofsted’s research reviews of school subjects. The main features of high quality geography education are found to include:

· Teachers break down curriculum content into component parts and draw from the breadth of concepts to give pupils the knowledge they need to appreciate the wider subject. When choosing curriculum content, teachers consider pupils’ prior knowledge and experiences.

· Teachers recognise that building pupils’ knowledge of locations, or ‘where’s where’, helps them build their own identity and sense of place. Pupils develop an appreciation of distance and scale.

· Pupils gain the knowledge they need to develop an increasingly complex understanding of place. This helps them make a connection between location and geographical processes and personal experience. For example, looking at their own route to school, town or city may lead to more conceptual understanding that they can draw on when looking at regional, national and global scales.

  • Fieldwork includes data collection, analysis and presentation. The experience of fieldwork draws together pupils’ locational knowledge and that of human and physical processes. It should be practised regularly.
  • Pupils see that geography is a dynamic subject where thinking and viewpoints change. Teachers correct pupils’ misconceptions through secure subject knowledge and effective teaching approaches.
  • Enquiry-based learning in geography can support the development of pupils’ disciplinary knowledge. Through careful content selection and teacher guidance, it can increase pupils’ capacity to recognise and ask geographical questions, to critique sources and reflect on what they have learned, as well as the methods used.
  • When using contemporary media coverage to engage and motivate pupils, teachers ensure that the geographical knowledge to be learned is always at the forefront of their teaching. Teachers check that any media content is geographically accurate.

  • Sufficient teaching time is allocated to cover the breadth of subject knowledge, and school leaders give careful thought to how geography is timetabled.

The report also argues, as has been mirrored in some of Ofsted’s other subject research reviews, that the knowledge of the subject can be broken down into two key categories: substantive and disciplinary knowledge.

Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (10 June 2021)

Ofsted’s review involved visits to 32 schools and colleges. Ofsted spoke to over 900 children and young people about the prevalence of peer-on-peer sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online, in their lives and the lives of their peers. They also spoke to leaders, teachers, governors, local safeguarding partners, parents and stakeholders. They considered the extent to which inspection has given sufficient oversight of this issue and considered how statutory guidance could be strengthened.

Please read the full review - Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges

Ofsted report into how ITE sector has responded to Covid-19

Ofsted’s new report on how ITE has responded to Covid-19 can be found here (19 May 2021).

Ofsted’s annual parent survey – results (20 May 2021)

Ofsted has published the results of its annual parents survey.

Ofsted RE research review

The latest research review on Religious Education can be found here (12 May 2021).

Languages in Outstanding Primary Schools – Ofsted blog

Ofsted’s latest blog focuses on languages (4 May 2021) in primary schools.

Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update

Inspections are due to start 4thMay. Details of the inspection plans are available at Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update(26 April 2021). As part of these inspections, inspectors may discuss plans schools have to spend their catch-up premium funding.

Ofsted’s Research Review Series - Science review published

Ofsted has published the first of its research review series. You can view the principles behind this series here. They are intended to establish an evidence-based ‘conception of subject quality.’

The Science Review (29 April 2021) explores the literature relating to the field of science education. Its purpose is to identify factors that can contribute to high-quality school science curriculums, assessment, pedagogy and systems. Ofsted will use this understanding of subject quality to examine how science is taught in England’s schools. They will then publish a subject report to share what they have learned.

Ofsted – updated inspection handbooks

Ofsted has published updated inspection handbooks (April 2021). The changes cover how Ofsted will inspect early years providers, schools, further education and skills providers and non-association independent schools. Sean Harford has written a helpful blog setting out what has changed.

Inspection

During the summer term, Ofsted intends to restart some onsite inspections under its Education Inspection Framework. The inspections are due to start from 4 May. Details of the inspection plans are available at Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update (29 March 2021).

Ofsted review into sexual abuse in schools: terms of reference

On 7th April, Ofsted published its terms of reference for its review of sexual abuse in schools. The review will answer key questions (set out in the attached terms of reference) on:

• Safeguarding and curriculum, including multi-agency safeguarding arrangements

• Victims’ voice and reporting

The review will conclude by the end of May 2021 and will seek to establish where safeguarding arrangements and processes are good and have worked well and where improvements are needed.

Ofsted inspection arrangements for the summer term

Ofsted has set out further detail of its plans for the summer term (29 March 2021) covering the full range of its inspection activity, including state and independent schools, further education providers, early years and initial teacher training.

Further information is available in the guidance on Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update (29 March 2021) and the announcement on full Ofsted inspections expected from September (29 March 2021).

Ofsted – update on remote education for pupils with SEND

Ofsted has published new information on how remote education is working for children and young people with SEND.(2 March 2021). Their findings are taken from the autumn and spring term interim visits.

Ofsted’s video about remote education and what is working for children and young people with SEND is now available to watch.

You can also download their slides on remote education for children and young people with SEND: a discussion pack for leaders and practitioners.

Ofsted remote additional monitoring inspections - update

Ofsted confirmed (24 February 2021) the inspection arrangements for the rest of this term

Remote education – new YouGov presentation of findings

On 25th January, Ofsted published research into remote education. This report summarises the findings from several strands of research activity that Ofsted carried out in 2020. On 18th February, a YouGov presentation of findings on remote and digital learning in schools was added. The objective of this study was to provide Ofsted with evidence from parents and teachers about remote and digital learning . An online survey was developed in conjunction with Ofsted and was carried out among parents between 25th November to 7th December 2020 and with teachers between 24th November and 11th December 2020. The total number of respondents was 1,003 teachers and 2,020 parents.

Deferring Ofsted inspections - updated guidance

This guidance (20 January 2021) has been updated to reflect the current context of national restrictions

January 2021: maintained schools and academies - updated operational note

This operational note (20 January 2021) explains some aspects of how the Section 8 monitoring inspections will work.

Ofsted Blog ‘The trust in testing times: the role of multi-academy trusts during the pandemic’ (19 January 2021)

Daniel Muijs, Ofsted’s Deputy Director for Research and Evaluation, and Karl Sampson, Assistant Regional Director for the South West, discuss the role of multi-academy trusts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The trust in testing times: the role of multi-academy trusts during the pandemic. (19 January 2021)

Ofsted inspections to be done remotely until half term

Ofsted has reviewed plans (12 January 2021) for the inspections of schools, early years and further education, which were due to begin next week. Considering a change in emphasis from the government and clear advice to ‘act as if you have the virus’ over the next few weeks, Ofsted has decided that all planned inspection activity will be undertaken remotely until after the February half term.

Remote Education

Ofsted has published a short guide (11 January 2021) to help school and trust leaders and teachers develop your remote education offer. This guidance, written by Professor Daniel Muijs, debunks some unhelpful myths about remote education, which are not based on evidence.

Ofsted summary of findings from the November Interim Visits

Ofsted has published its third and final briefing for schools (December 2020), which summarises findings from the November interim visits.

HMCI, Amanda Spielman’s commentary on these findings is here.

Ofsted monitoring visits – Spring term 2021

Ofsted have published an operational note (7 December 2020) giving more information about plans for monitoring visits of some schools in the Spring term.

Ofsted has announced (3 December 2020) a phased return of inspection activity.

Ofsted during the national restrictions

Following Ofsted’s announcement to carry out its work remotely, the inspectorate has published (4 November 2020) a short addition to its existing guidance. This confirms that autumn visits will take place remotely and will only go on site where it is necessary to do so, or in response to urgent concerns.

Ofsted

On 6 October 2020, Ofsted published a report on how schools are managing pupils’ return to education under Covid-19 conditions. The report is based on 121 pilot visits to schools in England during September. The main findings from the report include:

- Leaders said they were teaching most of the subjects they usually teach, though many have reordered topics within subjects. Primary schools were giving even more attention to reading than usual.
- Schools were using remote learning to reach those pupils who have to stay at home, but remote learning materials were in many cases not fully aligned with the regular curriculum.
- Leaders said that they planned to return to their normal curriculum by the summer term 2021 but many said they thought they would be able to achieve this earlier.
- While some schools said that COVID-19 had not had an impact on the number of their safeguarding cases or referrals, others reported an increase in cases. For schools with increased safeguarding cases, most of these were attributed to incidents of domestic abuse.
- Leaders often commented on what they saw as a lack of clarity in the national and local guidance that they had to draw on.
- Many said that they received conflicting information from different agencies, or from different parts of the same agency. They said that this was very stressful for them and their leadership team, particularly last term but continuing into this term.
- Leaders were concerned about not being able to keep their schools open when staff had to self-isolate to wait for COVID-19 tests and test results.
- Over a third of the schools visited reported an increase in the number of children being removed from the school and home educated. Parental anxiety about safety seems to be behind an increase in the numbers opting to home-school their children.

In her commentary on the report, Amanda Spielman said: "Strong leadership and committed staff are key to making the best of this challenging time… the determination, expressed by many of the school leaders we spoke to, that the pupils currently under their care and guidance must not come to be defined as ‘the COVID generation’. They deserve much more than that.”

Removal of the Outstanding Exemption – consultation outcome (October 2020)

The outcome of the consultation is that Ofsted will remove the outstanding exemption, as proposed.

Ofsted – Three new guidance documents (17 September 2020)

Please note, these three new guidance documents refer to normal inspection activity and have not been written in relation to Ofsted’s interim visits in the autumn term.

- Inspecting teaching of the protected characteristics in schools (here)

- Inspectors talking to pupils during school inspections (here)

- Separation by sex: implications for inspections of mixed-sex/co-educational schools (here)

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