SCHOOLS in England are to face increased scrutiny on how they support vulnerable children as part of reforms to the education inspectorate.
Sir Martyn Oliver, chief inspector of England’s education watchdog Ofsted, said schools could be judged on how well they tackle attendance and cater for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) under proposals.
But the National Education Union has called for the “broken” watchdog to be replaced.
Ofsted announced a number of changes today following its “Big Listen” consultation earlier this year – including plans to introduce a focus on inclusion in a “report card” system.
The move comes after the government announced on Monday that single-phrase inspection headline grades for schools in England are being scrapped.
Ofsted has come under greater scrutiny after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Schools will now no longer be issued with one of four judgements for overall effectiveness – outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate – when inspected.
From September 2025, parents will be able to view a report card in all areas which Ofsted inspects so they have a more detailed assessment of a school.
Ms Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, “outstanding,” to its lowest rating, “inadequate,” over safeguarding concerns.
A coroner concluded the Ofsted inspection in November 2022 contributed to her death.
An independent learning review, led by Dame Christine Gilbert and also published today, concluded that Ofsted’s initial response to the death of Ms Perry appeared “defensive and complacent.”
NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “We are faced with a long list of commitments today which amount to a refining of the status quo.
“It will take a great deal more to convince our members that Ofsted is anything other than a recurring nightmare.
“Ofsted is broken and we need to see it replaced urgently by a system of inspection which is supportive, effective and fair.
“The removal of over-arching single-word judgements is a step forward, but a small one. It does not amount to root and branch reform.
“The lack of trust in Ofsted runs deep. It has caused untold damage and misery. Its time is up.”
