By Gavin Mackintosh-
MPs will investigate the impact Ofsted has on school standards, and the “workload and wellbeing” of their leaders and staff.
The Parliamentary education committee has today launched an inquiry into the way schools are inspected, following plenty of criticism in the wake of the suicide of headteacher, Ruth Perry.
Perry’s family say she took her own life in January before the publication of an inspection report that downgraded Caversham Primary School from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’. They blame pressure from the Ofsted process for her death.
Robin Walker,(pictured) the former schools minister, who presides over the education committee, said “ensuring that inspections are proportionate, timely and reasonable is essential to build trust, especially after the tragic passing” of Perry.
MPs will examine concerns “that the ratings and feedback Ofsted gives to schools may not be conducive to helping schools improve”. The inquiry will also examine complaints procedures available to schools.
It plans to examine the current inspection framework, which was introduced in 2019, and “examine whether this has had an impact on school standards and the workload and wellbeing of teachers and school leaders”.
It comes after the watchdog announced a raft of changes to inspection, including a consultation on a planned shake-up of its complaints process.
Other measures announced following the backlash over Perry’s death include greater clarity on when they might be inspected, a swifter return to schools rated ‘inadequate’ over safeguarding alone, and changes in language to “de-personalise” reports.
Walker said Ofsted played a “crucial role in inspecting schools and ensuring that the quality of education remains high, this is important for parents, children and the schools system”.
“But there have been a range of concerns raised about the way it works and the impact on teachers and leaders.”
Chief inspector Amanda Spielman is due to stand down at the end of this year. Walker said the appointment of her successor “provides a valuable opportunity to take a step back and assess how well the system is working”.
“We will want to look at what can be improved and how the system can respond to some of the concerns that have been raised about workload and pressure on leaders and teachers.”
This “appears to have stemmed from a feeling that inspections place a high burden on school staff, and a view that one-word ratings do not always fully capture the quality of teaching and care that a school provides to children from a range of backgrounds”.
The assessment by the Education Committee has been welcomed by academics.
Joshua Hopwood, a former teacher and researcher said: ”the evaluation provides an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of Ofsted in driving school standards.
It allows for a thorough examination of the inspection process, methodologies, and criteria used by Ofsted to assess schools. This assessment can shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the current system, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions about potential improvements or reforms.
”Conducting an assessment on the impact of Ofsted promotes accountability and transparency within the education system encourages a critical examination of the role played by Ofsted in maintaining and improving school standards. This assessment can help identify areas where greater transparency is needed, such as the publication of inspection reports, grading systems, and the consistency of inspections across different regions and types of schools.
The assessment can have implications for school improvement strategies, allowing policymakers to gain insights into how inspection outcomes influence school improvement efforts. It could also lead to a re-evaluation of the strategies and interventions employed to support schools in raising standards, ensuring that they are aligned with the findings of the assessment.
It is hoped that the Education Committee’s report can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of current policies and highlight areas where adjustments or reforms may be necessary. This information can guide policymakers in shaping education policies that better support school improvement and enhance overall standards.
Enhancing Trust and Confidence
It is hoped that a comprehensive assessment of Ofsted’s impact can contribute to enhancing trust and confidence in the inspection process.
An examination of the effectiveness of the system and addressing any concerns or shortcomings can help build credibility and ensure that the inspection outcomes are seen as fair and reliable. This, in turn, can strengthen the public’s confidence in the education system and its ability to provide high-quality education.
The assessment may also prompt a consideration of alternative approaches to school inspections and accountability. It provides an opportunity to explore different models, such as peer-to-peer reviews, self-evaluation frameworks, or a combination of internal and external assessments.
The findings can inform discussions about potential changes to the inspection system that may better support schools in improving standards while minimizing unintended negative consequences.