Morgan to proceed in recommending Spielman for Ofsted Chief Inspector

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has confirmed that she will proceed in recommending Amanda Spielman as Ofsted’s new Chief Inspector, despite MPs raising ‘significant concerns’ over her suitability for the post.

The Education Select Committee questioned Spielman and came to the conclusion that it could not support her as Chief Inspector, suggesting she did not have a clear understanding of all aspects of the role, including early years, primary education, FE, and children's services.

In a letter to Neil Carmichael, the Committee chair, Morgan said that she was ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the report and made clear that she still believed that Spielman is ‘the best candidate’.

Morgan criticised the Committee, claiming that it was ‘clear that Committee members’ views on desirable qualities and skills were different in very significant areas from the advertised person specification’ and accused the Committee of misunderstanding the reality of the Chief Inspector’s role.

She said that the Committee’s queries about Spielman’s expertise in each of Ofsted’s areas of responsibility was a ‘misconception of the role’, as the Chief Inspector leads an extensive team of inspectors with professional experience in the areas they work.

Morgan even went as far as to call the report ‘factually wrong’ for suggesting that Ofsted is accountable for failures in child protection. The Education Secretary defended Speilman for saying that this responsibility rests with ‘those who are actually directly responsible for the children day to day in social care’.

She finished by saying: “I am sure that Amanda will generate fewer headlines than her predecessor, but I also know that she will not shy away from challenging government, nor offering frank assessments of the performance of our educational institutions. I have absolutely no doubt that under her watch Ofsted will play a central – and highly effective – role in supporting and driving improvement in childcare, schools, children’s services and adult learning.”