‘Common Inspection Framework’ Guide
The aim is to standardise the inspection procedure to make it easier to compare different provisions. If schools, academies or any other further skills providers were judged good at their last inspection, they will then be inspected every three years.
The new Common Inspection Framework
The response was a positive one as nearly 5000 responses supported the new framework. Eight out of ten supported it as they believed it was a fair way to inspect and would make comparisons easier.
Short inspections
Seven out of ten respondents believed that short inspections for maintained schools and academies judged good at their last inspection was a great idea. Currently, there are no plans to introduce a short inspection for good or outstanding early years settings.
Inspector quality and consistency
Many believe the most significant thing is not the specifics in the inspection process but the inspector quality and consistency.
From September, Ofsted will train inspectors fully so they are knowledgeable on the process. They will have individual contracts with inspectors for different settings such as: schools, non-association independent schools, and FE and skills providers.
Unannounced inspections
There are strong views that Ofsted should carry out no notice inspections on settings where there are safeguarding concerns. However here was no clear plan on the routine of no-notice inspections therefore, Ofsted will continue to give settings half a days’ notice.
However there is some talk over Ofsted moving towards the no notice period for inspections for early years settings, Ofsted will still inspect without notice when there are safe guarding concerns.
New inspection judgements
The new judgement proposal to introduce ‘quality of teaching, learning and assessment’ from September was supported by 55% of respondents. Also, the ‘personal development, behaviour and welfare’ judgement was also favoured by 52% of respondents.
Ofsted will not only be looking at published assessments and exam data, they will take into account the information and context of the school through a full range of inspection evidence. This will help inspectors to form a rounded and fair decision.