The impact of accountability reform on schools and pupils at secondary level in England, and priorities for school inspections is the focus for this conference.

It follows the publication of Ofsted’s annual report which highlighted issues relating to persistently underachieving schools in England, and comes as Ofsted develops the new Common Inspection Framework for introduction in September 2019.

The conference also follows recent confirmation from Ofsted on changes to the way the regulator will conduct short inspections from January 2018 with proposals intended to minimise the burden on schools and provide constructive support. It also takes place in the context of the regulator’s thematic review of the curriculum, and following the completion of the first phase of the review’s work earlier this autumn.

Overall, sessions will focus on:

• The impact of recent accountability reform including discussion on schools implementation of Progress 8 and Attainment 8 measures
• Challenges for schools in delivering a broad and balanced curriculum and whether the Progress 8 measure has been successful in reducing schools’ ‘gaming’ of the system and incentivising them to offer a broad curriculum
• The design of the new Common Inspection Framework due to be introduced from 2019 including the degree of focus the curriculum should take in its design
• Key issues surrounding inspection focus, delivery and grading including how to ensure the accurate recording of inspections.