Ofsted delays inspection of new schools
Until now the inspections of new schools has taken place in the second year of opening. However, the the schools watchdog has declared that inspections will be delayed until the third year of opening, unless there are ‘concerns’ or it is directed to do so by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.
The change in regulations will apply to those schools that have newly opened or converted since September 2014. The rules will also pertain to school amalgamations, mergers and extensions that add a new key stage.
Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the ASCL school leaders’ union, told TES that it was sensible to allow three years for a school to establish itself before an inspection. He said: “By its second year a new secondary may only have Year 7 and Year 8 pupils, so that’s quite an early stage to be inspecting.”
He stated: “If a school is in the ‘requires improvement’ category before it converts to become an academy, I’m sure these rules won’t mean it effectively goes without any visits for three years. There will be an improvement process in place.”
Mr Trobe claimed he suspected the plans were likely to be part of a money-saving plan on the watchdog’s part.
He said: “I suspect it’s part of a streamlining of the process. Inspection is an expensive business and Ofsted will have to focus its attention on inspecting the schools that most require that visit.”
A spokesperson for Ofsted said: “This is not about saving money. Some of the new schools that have opened are still operating on a small scale and this limits the evidence base on which to inspect under section five reporting. Extending the timescale for the first inspection allows a more extensive evidence base to be collected by inspectors.
“However, HM Chief Inspector has the discretion to inspect earlier where he has concerns, including where parents have raised issues. Our regional teams will continue to closely monitor the performance of all newly opened schools and new provision to ensure that action is taken where necessary.”
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