OFSTED may have thought they'd addressed schools' concerns with the inspection process through (among other things) the abandonment of single word ratings but it now looks like they've not managed to gain the confidence of headteachers who are now looking to possibly strike over the new system.
The key problem here is not so much the reform(s) but the historic lack of confidence that schools have felt in OFSTED's inspection practice(s) & this remains.
Greater Manchester children's home slammed as 'unsafe and inadequate' after shock findings
Private Schools May Face Increased Ofsted Inspection Fees
Private schools in England could face higher inspection fees under proposed plans from the Department for Education (DfE). The DfE reported that Ofsted inspections cost £6.5m last year, with £2.2m of this covered by fees paid by the schools. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson argued that the tax... [More info]
New accountability regime: Attainment checks and profiles
More from this theme Recent articles Government is set to launch a pilot of new “school profiles” and…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #academies #Accountability #dfe #ofsted #rise #UK #UnitedKingdom
https://www.newsbeep.com/113861/
Ofsted Introduces New Grading System for School Reports
In November 2025, Ofsted will roll out redesigned school report cards in England, with a new five-point grading scale intended to provide more nuanced insights into a school's performance. The system introduces new categories, ranging from 'urgent improvement' to 'exceptional', which are designed to... [More info]
Ofsted to implement detailed school inspection report cards amid concerns over staff wellbeing
Ofsted has confirmed it will implement a new 'report card' system for school inspections in England starting 10 November, despite criticism from school leaders, campaigners, and former inspectors. The new system replaces the previous one- or two-word grading scale, which ranged from 'outstanding' to... [More info]
Pre-school receives ‘good’ rating from inspectors
https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/07/31/pre-school-receives-good-rating-from-inspectors/
Chair of governors praises “fantastic” work of staff after Ofsted report
Lichfield pre-school rated ‘good’ by inspectors
https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/07/13/lichfield-pre-school-rated-good-by-inspectors-3/
#Ofsted has praised Southern Rail’s driver apprenticeship scheme at #Selhurst, #London, awarding it a ‘good’ overall rating and highlighting ‘outstanding’ behaviours and attitudes. Inspectors noted the 135 apprentices flourish in a culture of positivity and mutual respect, have strong attendance, and feel safe and proud to work in the rail industry. Trainers were commended for skilfully structuring learning and using varied assessment methods, while leaders have improved teaching of functional skills. The scheme, part of Govia #Thameslink #Railway, was praised for producing well-rounded apprentices.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-thameslink-railway/pressreleases/ofsted-highlights-outstanding-behaviours-and-attitudes-on-southerns-drivers-apprenticeship-scheme-3393351
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jun/10/ofsted-training-manual-criticised-autistic-children-extremism-prevent. Thanks a bunch for precisely NOTHING, #ofsted! Young people in the UK on the #autism spectrum face enough difficulties without you adding to them by labelling them all as potential "extremists", at a time when even Yvette Cooper is worried about the excessive numbers of youngsters being referred to #prevent.
Celebrations as Burntwood school is rated ‘good’ by inspectors
https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/06/05/celebrations-as-burntwood-school-is-rated-good-by-inspectors/
Inspectors rate Lichfield nursery as ‘good’
https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/05/17/inspectors-rate-lichfield-nursery-as-good/
Inspectors praise “warm and welcoming” Fradley school
https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/03/18/inspectors-praise-warm-and-welcoming-fradley-school/
School praised for promoting reading – but told more work needed to improve writing skills
Headteacher still “deeply concerned” about future of residential provision praised by inspectors
Residential provision at Lichfield school hailed as “outstanding”
I should have been finishing off another review on my l #eurovision blog but today's #ofsted day has frankly whacked me out of kilter and taking it out on Marko from Croatia isn't fair. So that'll be out tomorrow x
OFSTED's proposal to change how results of schools' inspection are presented, are out for consultation but already have been quite heavily criticised.
A bigger issue is while the proposals present a change in messaging they do little to address the real problem of inspectors' behaviour & accountability the lie at the heart of much of the serious disquiet & complaints about OFSTED's conduct.
Until that is addressed, the rest is just window dressing!
