Ofsted ‘transparent’ despite withholding reform feedback

Gilbert’s recent evaluation of Ofsted highlighted that the board’s role “appeared curiously limited,” urging for enhancements.

Having recently stepped into her position, she assured the education committee that the Ofsted board “will not simply take reports at face value and nod in agreement. We will be examining our own processes and actively engaging with the sector.”

Meanwhile, Oliver noted that the new inspection framework aims to eliminate the “gotcha” aspect of inspections, allowing complaints to be addressed during the inspection instead of at its conclusion when they might linger unresolved.

Inspectors will now communicate their observations to providers throughout the inspection process rather than delivering a final grade at the end of day two.

Insights on Ofsted inspector ‘matching’ process

Oliver also shed light on plans to pair inspectors with settings that match their experience and qualifications.

He mentioned that Ofsted has “compiled what they confidently assert is the largest database of information on civil servants, designed to align their expertise with specific settings,” encompassing “two million data sets” on HMIs.

Ofsted has begun to specify the types of settings when recruiting for HMI roles.

“Each region has assessed its own strengths and gaps in experience, and we’re actively seeking to fill those needs,” he stated.

In response to the independent wellbeing impact assessment commissioned by Ofsted, which revealed that the new framework “does not alleviate pressure on leaders… and may contribute to increased levels of stress and workload,” Oliver was asked if this meant Ofsted had “failed” in its objective to reduce pressures on school leaders. He acknowledged that significant modifications had been made to the framework based on the report’s findings.

“I can’t make inspections entirely devoid of stress, just as exams cannot be entirely stress-free, but I am striving to ensure that they are manageable, constructive, and ultimately beneficial for leaders,” he asserted.

Caversham inspector ‘has acknowledged their conduct’

Oliver also reassessed an earlier statement made in a January committee hearing, in which he claimed there was “no suggestion” that inspectors involved in the Caversham Primary School inspection—in which Ruth Perry served as headteacher—”performed poorly or acted incorrectly.”

He expressed gratitude to the committee for the “opportunity to slightly correct that record.”

Oliver highlighted that the coroner overseeing Perry’s inquest “clearly indicated that the issue was not with any individual inspector but was an organizational failure of Ofsted.” He acknowledged that concerns had been raised regarding the conduct of that particular inspection.

The coroner’s report concluded that the inspection at Perry’s school was “rude and intimidating at times” and “contributed” to her tragic death.

Oliver emphasized, “It is imperative for all of our inspectors to approach their duties with professionalism, courtesy, empathy, and respect. That inspector has reflected on the conduct and the subsequent report regarding preventing future fatalities.”