Ofsted announces quality assurance measures ahead of new framework

Ofsted has announced several measures to reassure education providers about the quality of inspectors’ work, as the rollout for the revised framework in November draws closer. 

The work of senior inspectors will be quality assured by the national director for education and principal inspector, Lee Owston HMI, following their participation in pilot visits to volunteer settings in early autumn. 

Additionally, each inspector will need to complete a comprehensive training programme, with the same quality assurance checks, before being able to carry out a live inspection.

Ofsted says that this will result in fewer inspections than usual in November and December, with all inspections led by the most senior and experienced inspectors. Part-time, external inspectors will be phased in following training, and there will be no inspections in the final week before Christmas break to allow for more training.

In autumn, a random sample of providers will take part in ‘exit interviews’ with His Majesty’s chief inspector, the national director, and senior Ofsted officials to hear about their inspection experience and reflect on the implementation of the reforms. His Majesty’s chief inspector will also invite sector representatives to a series of roundtable meetings to hear their thoughts on the renewed framework.

Ofsted has announced a series of measures to support the smooth introduction of the framework, following recommendations raised by the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), which include all requests for an inspection deferral to be reviewed by the deputy chief inspector, working with the CST and others to ensure all inspection guidance and material for providers is user-friendly, and Ofsted Academy publishing training materials on its free-to-access external platform.

Other measures include a telephone helpline available before, during and after an inspection for leaders to raise queries and concerns with a senior Ofsted leader, a continually updated FAQ document available online, alongside frequent meetings and webinars.

His Majesty’s chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said: “We’re confident that our reforms will deliver an improved system of education inspection, with real benefits for children and their parents. But we’re also serious about giving providers the support they need to engage confidently and fairly with the changes, and ensuring a steady and assured start to inspections under the renewed framework.

“I want to reassure everyone that we’re taking every possible measure to provide a consistent and high-quality inspection experience for all, right from the off.”