A review of Ofsted’s single-word judgements is among a series of recommendations that the Education Committee has issued to the inspectorate and the Government in a new report.
The report reflects that whilst there is widespread agreement on the importance of an accountability system and the role of an independent inspectorate, there are concerns around stress and anxiety experienced by school staff due to the high-stakes nature of Ofsted’s inspections. The report highlights the policy of compulsory academy orders, criticisms of how inspections are carried out and reported, the workload they generate, and the complaints system.
The cross-party Committee’s long-running inquiry on the role of Ofsted in schools finished just weeks after the conclusion of the inquest into the death of primary school headteacher Ruth Perry, and Sir Martyn Oliver becoming the new His Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) of Ofsted earlier this month and leading work on the inspectorate’s response.
The committee heard that relations between Ofsted and the school sector have become extremely strained and that trust in the inspectorate is worryingly low. The appointment of the new HMCI provides a crucial opportunity to reset and restore trust.
