January 2018 changes to Ofsted Short Inspections
Short inspections are a proportionate approach to inspecting good (and non-exempt outstanding) maintained schools and academies. They last for one day and begin with the assumption that the school remains good or outstanding. Short inspections have been well received since their introduction in September 2015 with one headteacher stating:
“Of all the inspections I have been involved in over my long teaching career, this most recent has felt like the fairest, most collaborative, least stressful (for the staff and children) one I have undertaken. We were well prepared, were guided appropriately through the process by the HMI leading it and whilst we experienced a good level of challenge, it felt appropriate for our circumstances.”
However, short inspections that immediately convert to full section 5 inspections have proven to be challenging for both schools and inspectors. Because of this, Ofsted ran a consultation on ‘Short inspections of good schools’ between 21st September and 8th November 2017, with the following proposed changes to short inspections of good schools introduced from January 2018:
- converting short inspections, normally within 48 hours, if there are serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education.
- if inspectors are not fully confident that a school would receive its current grade if a full section 5 inspection were carried out, Ofsted will set out the school’s strengths and priorities for improvement and carry out a section 5 inspection at a later date.
- if inspectors identify strong practice that could indicate that the school is improving towards outstanding, Ofsted will set out the school’s strengths and priorities for further improvement and we will carry out a section 5 inspection within two years, and possibly much sooner.
Short inspection consultation - the results
The vast majority of respondents supported proposals to convert short inspections to full section 5 inspections, usually within 48 hours, if inspectors have serious concerns about safeguarding, the quality of education or behaviour that disrupts learning and impedes the progress of pupils.
Inspectors will also convert short inspections if they see evidence that suggests that the school would be judged inadequate overall if they were to receive a full section 5 inspection.
Some respondents felt that up to 48 hours could be too long if safeguarding or behaviour has raised serious concerns, and that conversion should be immediate or no later than the following day. However, the majority felt that safeguarding and protection of children is of paramount importance and that conversion in these instances allows for safeguarding concerns to be explored fully.
Just over half of all respondents agreed that if inspectors are not confident that a school would receive its current grade if a section 5 inspection was carried out, Ofsted should set out strengths and priorities for further improvement and carry out a section 5 inspection within the statutory time frame, typically within two years of the short inspection.
Some outstanding settings also receive short inspections. This group caters for those at a critical stage of their education or the most vulnerable and includes nursery schools, special schools and pupil referral units. If inspectors see evidence that provision may have dropped by two grades so that the school would be likely to be judged as requires improvement, an immediate section 5 inspection is appropriate and inspectors will convert the short inspection, usually within 48 hours.
Typically, respondents agreed with this proposal as it takes a constructive and developmental approach, encouraging schools to improve continuously and secure better outcomes for pupils. As one headteacher commented:
“It is important that schools are given time to improve and the concept of ‘catch schools before they fall from being good’ shows that OFSTED understands the importance of collaboration when it comes to school improvement.”
A majority of respondents also supported that if inspectors identify strong practice that indicates that the school may be moving towards outstanding, Ofsted will not convert the inspection. Again Ofsted will set out strengths and further priorities for improvement and carry out a section 5 inspection at a later date, typically within two years, but potentially much sooner. A school in these circumstances may also request a section 5 inspection at any time.
Those agreeing feel that this approach is more developmental and supportive and provides schools with the opportunity to embed improvements giving them a better chance achieve an outstanding rating.
Each of these changes to short inspections of good schools has been introduced as of January 2018. For the full report on the outcomes of the Ofsted consultation, visit the .gov website.
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