Ofsted will publish ‘inadequate’ inspection reports for local authority schools in the run up to the local elections, in a change to the rules.
However the inspectorate said it would hold back any individual report if needed, which “may be necessary where a particular inspection has been the focus of significant local political campaigning”.
Elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across England on May 2. Voters in the capital will also elect the mayor of London and London Assembly members, while another nine directly-elected metro mayors will be picked.
The period of time immediately before elections is known as purdah. During that time, public bodies are required to act in a politically neutral manner. It starts four weeks before local elections and applies only in areas where polls are taking place.
