Three key themes to the Ofsted’s new Inspection Framework

Ofsted's new framework: how will schools be affected?

Equality

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, has referred to how the update should help to protect people from disadvantaged backgrounds, or who suffer a disadvantage through a disability or learning difficulty. She observed that those who come to education with a disadvantage of any kind are more likely to be adversely affected when schools place too much weight on performance measures alone.

The new framework seeks to redress that imbalance.

It will also increase a focus on ensuring learners feel safe and do not experience discrimination.

Bullying

Ofsted has also responded to the demand from parents to give better information about how well behaviour is managed in a school. A new separate behaviour judgement will assess whether schools are creating a calm, well-managed environment free from bullying.

Leaders are also expected to protect their staff from bullying and harassment under the new framework.

Welfare

The new ‘personal development judgement’ will recognise the work schools and colleges do to build young people’s resilience and confidence in later life – through work such as cadet forces, National Citizen Service, sports, drama or debating teams.

Staff welfare is also important, and inspectors will be looking at how leaders develop teachers and staff, while taking their workload and wellbeing into account.

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