Ofsted publish inspection data and post-inspection survey responses
The latest data for inspection outcomes has been published and it paints a positive picture overall. The inspection data shows that 83% of schools were judged ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ to the end of November 2021. Furthermore 72% of schools previously rated by Ofsted as ‘Requires Improvement’ have now been recognised as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.
Ofsted’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman said:
“I am fully aware that schools are still facing very significant challenges as a result of the pandemic. So, I’m very pleased to report that schools are improving and being recognised for doing so. In fact, inspection results this term are very much in line with what we saw before the pandemic began, if not slightly improved. That will be a reassurance to parents and to schools as well.
Our inspections are intended to be constructive and supportive, so I’m pleased that our survey results show they are valued by the vast majority of school leaders who have experienced one this term. But inspections are also incredibly important for children, who only get one chance at education and have already lost so much in the last 20 months.”
Ofsted have also published the data for post-inspection surveys. After each Ofsted inspection school leaders are sent an online survey that allows them to reflect on how they felt the inspection team had carried out the inspection.
There are some clear areas that Ofsted will undoubtedly reflect on while inspections are suspended this week into the first week of January for secondary schools.
These are more specifically:
- Only 49% of leaders strongly agreed that the benefits of inspection outweigh the negative aspects.
- Only 53% of leaders strongly agreed that the inspection will help them to improve their provision further.
- Only 66% strongly agreed that the inspectors took good account of the views of parents/carers.
With the difficulties that the Omicron variant is causing across education it was welcomed that inspections were suspended and that Ofsted need to be mindful that for schools they are very much still dealing with the impact of the pandemic while also continuing their steadfast support for staff, pupils and parents.
