This paper outlines CST's position on reforming regulation and accountability of schools in England, with the aim of building an intelligent and compassionate system of accountability.
As we begin to think about reforms to our accountability system in England, it is fundamentally important that we ask two questions:
- How do we create a more intelligent (and compassionate) system of accountability?
- How does it all cohere?
It is fundamentally important that in building an intelligent and compassionate system of accountability that we bring the whole system into view, not just a part of it. A huge problem in our system is the distorting effects of developing policy for one part of the system (for example Ofsted) without seeing Ofsted as part of the entire accountability and regulatory system. There are three important parts of the accountability and regulatory system:
- Regulation and commissioning
- Inspection
- Performance measures (accountability data)
We have a once in a generation opportunity to build system coherence and create a school system that can potentially become the best system in the world at getting better. If the new system governance arrangements mean any children fall through the gaps, these will be gaps we have created.
We must be sure that this is a system that works for all children.
