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The document, which was released this week, outlining their eight priorities and four key values, was criticised by a number of teaching unions including ASCL, who stated that “It’s a shame that Ofsted doesn’t appear to recognise that the inspection system needs to be reformed.”

The key priorities are: to raise inspection standards; keep children safe; have light-touch regulation; share insights to inform practitioners, policymakers and decision-makers; develop the evidence-base around education; keep pace with sector changes; be accessible and engaged; and to be a force for improvement.

Chris Zarraga, Director from Schools North East:

“From what we have heard from the members of the network in the past this strategy does not tackle the issues which those who are working at the chalkface have highlighted. Many are calling for the system to reform as the current system is putting pressure on middle leaders as well as having a significant negative impact on staff wellbeing because of increasing workload pressure. Whilst there are a number of positives to take from the strategy, it still lacks a thorough understanding of the impact of regional contexts  and data, continuing the ongoing risk that schools serving predominantly disadvantaged areas will be judged on their geography rather than their competence.”

In a Schools North East roundtable discussion in Autumn 2021, we heard from school leaders in the region about their concerns regarding the inspection system. These ranged from concerns about subject guides and ‘being told how to teach’ to confusing messages from Ofsted about how the impact of Covid would be taken into account in different areas.

Julie McCulloch, Director of Policy at ASCL responded to the new strategy, saying:

“Ofsted judgements then serve to stigmatise schools(in certain contexts) making recruitment all the more difficult and consigning them to a vicious cycle which makes sustainable improvement extremely challenging. This is not in the best interests of children in these communities and is irreconcilable with Ofsted’s fundamental principle to be a force for improvement. There is nothing new about this problem but neither Ofsted nor the government has anything to offer about how to address it and create a truly intelligent inspection system.”
If you would like your voice to inform the educational debate and you would like to influence how we support schools as the educational landscape shifts again, your school can join the network as a Partner School. To find out more about our Partner School membership you can email: info@schoolsnortheast.com.