Beyond Ofsted: Inquiry Calls for Transformational Changes in School Inspections
A recent inquiry, chaired by former schools minister Lord Jim Knight and funded by the National Education Union, has recommended a "transformational" overhaul of the school inspection system, asserting that the current model is "not fit for purpose." The Beyond Ofsted inquiry suggests that Ofsted inspectors should no longer be present in classrooms, emphasising the need for schools to take on the responsibility of their improvement plans.
According to Lord Knight, Ofsted has become "toxic" and lost the trust of both the teaching profession and parents. The inquiry proposes ending the practice of single-word judgments like "outstanding" or "inadequate," deeming them too simplistic to encapsulate a school's overall performance. Instead, schools are encouraged to conduct their own "self-evaluations" in collaboration with an external "improvement partner."
The inquiry recommends an "immediate pause to routine inspections" to allow time for trust to be rebuilt within the teaching profession. This proposed change aims to address the perceived detrimental impact of Ofsted inspections, highlighted by the tragic suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry earlier this year. Perry's family attributed her death to the stress caused by an Ofsted report that downgraded her school.
Lord Knight emphasises the importance of creating a system that fosters sustained improvement rather than fear. "It's created a culture of fear in our schools, and if anybody thinks that fear is the basis for sustained improvement, rather than support, then I think they've got it completely wrong," he said to BBC Breakfast on Monday.
The inquiry also calls for a new national body to oversee separate yearly checks on safeguarding in schools, independent of Ofsted. However, the Department for Education defends the current system, stating that Ofsted plays a "crucial role" in assuring parents of the quality and safety of their children's education.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has echoed the call for change, advocating for narrative-style judgments over "overly simplistic" ones, which it argues can lead to abrupt changes in school management—a phenomenon it terms a "football manager culture" in schools.
As discussions on the future of school inspections continue, the education landscape awaits potential reforms that could bring about a shift from a centralised inspection model to a more collaborative and self-directed approach within individual schools.
