Changes to how Ofsted conducts its inspections started in September 2023. This does not involve major changes to the framework but has more to do with how inspections happen and some of the protocols involved. 

Although the current changes could be described as minor, they are nonetheless important for all schools, and there is a genuine attempt on Ofsted’s behalf to be more transparent. 

In this blog, we’ll examine the specific areas that have undergone changes:

• Safeguarding
• Dealing with complaints
• Notice for inspections
• Depersonalising reports
• Provisional judgements

Safeguarding

One of the key changes relates directly to safeguarding, especially when a school has been judged ‘inadequate’ because of ineffective safeguarding. 

The new arrangements outline that inspectors will return within three months to schools that are judged as ‘good’ or ‘better in all other areas apart from safeguarding’. If the issues picked up during inspection have been dealt with, then it is likely that the grade of inadequate will be revised. 

In addition, the report for this group of schools will explain more clearly why the inadequate judgement was made, so that parents are better informed. 

Several webinars will be held throughout autumn 2023 to provide more transparency about what ineffective safeguarding looks like. These will provide essential knowledge for school leaders, including governors. 

• Learn more about Ofsted’s autumn webinars

Dealing with complaints

From June to September 2023, Ofsted opened up a consultation process to consider how they could deal with complaints more promptly and effectively.

The aim was to be more transparent and to make it administratively simpler to complain about a particular inspection. The process examined how on-site professional dialogue could be extended to prevent post-inspection complaints. 

In addition, it aimed to make it easier to contact Ofsted immediately after the inspection (the next day). Currently, the report on the outcome of the consultation is still to be published. We will provide an update once this information becomes available.

Notice for inspections

The timing of inspections is another area that has been looked at. Although the one-day notice will continue, Ofsted has provided greater clarity about the year schools will be inspected. This is helpful for those schools with a historical ‘outstanding’ judgement to know when they are likely to be visited.

• Read the Ofsted blog ‘When will my school be inspected?’

In addition, historically ‘outstanding’ schools that may not have experienced an inspection for a long time are being offered face-to-face seminars in small groups led by a number of HMI. This will help these schools keep up with inspection protocols and procedures.

Depersonalising reports

It is clear that concerns raised after the sad death of Ruth Perry have been listened to and that the wellbeing of school leaders and school staff is of paramount importance both to Ofsted and to the education secretary. 

To this end, reports will not mention individuals, in an attempt to depersonalise the reports. The contextual information at the end of the report will be amended to list all people responsible for the school. Inspectors will also make it clear that, in almost all cases, staff can be accompanied by a colleague when talking to an inspector.

Provisional judgements

Inspectors will continue to make it clear to headteachers that judgements given are provisional and subject to change, and this will now also be made clear in the cover letter accompanying the draft report when it is sent to the school. Headteachers must also ensure that they are careful about who to share initial judgements with until the report is finalised.

• Read more on Ofsted’s school inspection updates in 2023

It is evident that many of the changes to Ofsted inspections are a result of concerns raised by different bodies within the education sector. The changes are a genuine attempt on behalf of the government and Ofsted to support schools and to lessen the stress associated with inspections. We can all agree that attempts to bring about greater transparency and to improve the complaints procedures are changes for the better. 

Greater clarity about what is effective or ineffective safeguarding should help many school leaders be more confident in self-evaluating their safeguarding measures. The move to promptly revisit schools with ineffective safeguarding but good judgements elsewhere may be a precursor to safeguarding being inspected separately and more regularly. This is a point already raised by some government ministers. 

The announcement about informing historically ‘outstanding’ schools about the year of their impending inspection may not, in some leaders’ view, go far enough to reduce the stress associated with ‘waiting for the call’. However, the webinars will be a welcome support for many leaders whose schools have not been inspected for ten or more years.

Although some may argue that these changes do not go far enough in supporting leaders’ wellbeing, steps are being taken to be more transparent and to provide schools with more robust dialogue. 

It’s also worth noting that after the new Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, takes up the post at the end of December, it is envisaged that in early 2024 there will be significant changes to the Ofsted framework.

This blog was written by former Ofsted inspector, Clive Davies.