SCHOOLS NorthEast hosts Ofsted update event
Delegates at Monday’s regional Ofsted update event, organised by SCHOOLS NorthEast, heard from the Inspectorate’s Regional Director, Cathy Kirby, and senior HMIs on the new 2019 inspection framework and other matters.
2019 framework: The Senior HMIs emphasised the focus on the curriculum in the new framework, strongly discouraging “teaching to the test”. They said the 2019 framework would be based on the best possible evidence, whether that’s curriculum, on teacher evaluation (what you can or can’t evaluate from a lesson observation), or anything else. The new framework would be more focused, removing any measures that don’t focus on the quality of education.
Exclusions: Cathy Kirby discussed the letter she sent to Secondary heads in parts of the North East in February, where she raised concerns about rising levels of exclusions. She said the intention was to shine a light on the issue and promote a dialogue. In response to questions fielded in the Q&A segment she warned that inspection would be used to hold schools to account, where Ofsted hasserious concerns about this.
Workforce: Cathy Kirby said she was proud of recruiting more HMI from Head Teachers: ” there has never been a time when we have had more Head Teachers helping inspections”. She said this gives inspections greater credibility
Outstanding schools: More routine inspection of ‘outstanding’ schools was flagged up as something Amanda Spielman wants Ofsted to do and the HMCI is currently “working on” this. However, as the law preventing such routine inspections was passed by Parliament it would have to be reversed by MPs and not Ofsted.
It has also been announced today that Ofsted are signally changes to academy trust inspections.