Consultation on shorter Ofsted inspections launched

Ofsted has launched a consultation seeking views on proposals aimed at bringing greater clarity to the short inspection process.

The new approach aims to give schools that may be at risk of decline more time to improve following a short inspection, while retaining their good rating.

If this is implemented, the changes would allow those schools the opportunity to seek appropriate support, for example from within their multi-academy trust, local authority or other school improvement bodies

The consultation asks for views on three changes to the short inspection process.

Inspectors will continue to convert short inspections, within 48 hours, where there are serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the standard of education. Parents need to know as soon as possible if the quality of education at a school has declined to inadequate.

When inspectors are not confident that a school is still good but the standard of education remains acceptable, and there are no concerns about safeguarding or behaviour, the inspection will not convert.

Instead, Ofsted will publish a letter setting out the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. A section 5 inspection will then take place at a later date, typically within one to two years.

This will give the school time to address any weaknesses and seek support from appropriate bodies. In the meantime, the school’s overall effectiveness judgement of good will stand.

When inspectors have reason to believe that a school may be improving to outstanding, Ofsted will publish a letter setting out the school’s strengths and priorities for further improvement, and confirming that it is still good.

A section 5 inspection will then be carried out later, typically within one to two years. This will give the school time to consolidate its strong practice. However, requests for early inspections will be considered.

The consultation is published alongside Ofsted’s response to the summer consultation on short inspections, which proposed changes to make the conversion process more manageable.