Amanda Spielman shares evidence at Education Select Committee
On Tuesday Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman gave evidence at an accountability hearing of the House of Commons Education Select Committee. The session began with a brief discussion of the reports Ofsted had published that day. These reports covered the findings of Ofsted visits in October, covering schools, further education and skills, early years, social care, and local areas’ SEND provision. All reports can be found at the following link.
Amanda Spielman said that these reports reflect findings from almost 1,000 school visits, and highlight significant concerns. Many pupils’ development had gone backwards during the lockdown, and this was especially notable in early years. This was not just academic abilities, but basic skills, mental health, and fitness.
The reports also highlight the range of pressures schools are facing, particular on workload and on budgets. For many school staff, especially leaders, this is testing resilience. Amanda Spielman said that these reports presented a tough picture about the impact lockdown and continued disruption was and is having. She went on to say that while there are some students that have thrived, a large proportion have not, and it is clear how important regular schooling is for children and young people’s development.
Although the reports do not outline solutions, the recognition of these pressures and challenges is welcome. Much of what is discussed is similar to the feedback Schools North East has received during our regular roundtables with Head Teachers and CEOs in the region. This feedback informs our lobbying work, and we relay it back to the Department for Education.
Following this, chair of the committee Robert Halfon MP asked if Ofsted should have had a more active role during the lockdown in monitoring schools, especially considering the numbers of students who have not been engaging with remote learning.
Amanda Spielman said that this was not possible, as clear expectations on what schools should be providing had not been made. She argued that this wasn’t a case for giving Ofsted more power to monitor schools, but establishing a first step of what the right provision for students is, and recognising the limits remote learning has in comparison to classroom learning.
She went on to say that these expectations had since been established in September, but that current visits were not evidence gathering visits, beyond that feedback from conversations with school leaders. Rather, the interim visits are aimed at collaboration and professional dialogue with an aim to be a ‘critical friend’.
Amanda added though that she does want to see inspections return, but that this has to be done safely and in the right way. This would mean taking into account the circumstances of schools, for example the extra disruption schools in the North of England have had to deal with as a result of higher case numbers. She recognised that there are certain challenges outside of the control of schools, and that they should not be held accountable for this.
It is encouraging that Amanda Spielman does recognise the wide range of pressures and challenges schools are facing. However, schools are still lacking clarity on whether or not inspections will resume in January, or what they will look like. This lack of clear guidance (not just on inspections, but on issues such as exams and finances) is causing undue stress for school staff, and so urgent clarification from Ofsted is essential. Schools North East has previously written to the Secretary of State for Education for clarification on a range of issues including the accountability system, but we have yet to receive a response.