New analysis shows that Ofsted has reduced the quality of the majority of schools deemed ‘outstanding’ in its first inspection round.
A revamp of education watchdog visits has resulted in nearly three quarters of students losing their highest grading.
These sites hadn’t been checked for over 235 years, as the top schools had previously been exempted from inspections.
While only a few re-inspection report samples have been released so far, these initial findings provide a peek into Ofsted’s clampdown on schools deemed ‘outstanding.
It will also raise concerns that schools could have coasted for many years using outdated gradings.
In the initial round of an inspection shakeup, Ofsted downgraded schools deemed ‘outstanding’ (file).
Since 2012, when the government created exemptions to permit Ofsted to inspect top-rated schools more often at schools with lower performance, this is the first routine inspection of these schools.
Every school that was ‘outstanding’ at the time of their last inspection will have a complete inspection. However, only those schools which were awarded the highest grade or primaries since 2015 will be allowed to take short visits.
Schools Week analysed 23 Ofsted reports that were published Thursday on schools previously considered ‘outstanding’.
These 19 inspections were section 5 complete, graded. The section 8 inspections were completed by four of these inspectors.
Schools Week revealed that 17 of the schools were delisted as ‘outstanding’. Twelve fell to good’ while five were designated’requires improvement.
The Ash Church of England Primary School, Martock, Somerset was deemed’requires improvements’. The school’s most recent inspection took place 15 years ago.
Ash Church of England Primary School, Martock, Somerset was found to be a’requires improvements’. The school’s most recent inspection took place 15 years ago.
According to inspectors, the pandemic had slowed down leaders’ efforts for improvement. But, curriculum leadership’s lack of professional development has resulted in a weak curriculum.
Some lessons don’t have a clear structure and do not take into account what the pupils know. The expectations teachers have for what students can accomplish are ‘too low’.
Ofsted criticised Cove Infant School Farnborough, Hampshire’s ‘weaknesses’ in its reading curriculum, which “stifled” pupils’ progress.
Inspectors stated that ‘too few pupils can read as well’. After being judged in all three areas, including quality education, the school received a’requires improvements’ rating.
Schools Week’s Headteacher Natasha Vass said that although the judgment was disappointing, the school had a solid plan of improvement to turn around the results relatively rapidly.
Ofsted criticized Cove Infant School Farnborough, Hampshire’s ‘weaknesses’ in its reading curriculum, which “stifled” pupils’ progress.
Three schools received a shorter visit and retained their ‘outstanding grade’.
Ofsted determined that the inspection grade at Hiltingbury Infant school in Eastleigh, Hampshire might be lower if an inspection was done now. Inspectors will inspect the school again.
A further three re-inspection reports were published on Friday – two schools kept their ‘outstanding’ ratings while the third slipped to ‘good’.
Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s chief inspector of Education, stated recently that she anticipates that the number of schools deemed outstanding will drop from roughly 4,133 to around 2,000 with the implementation of the new inspection process.
Around one fifth of English schools currently are rated “outstanding”, but Ms Spielman said that one out of ten English schools might be a better starting point.
Geoff Barton (general secretary of Association of School and College Leaders) yesterday said that schools might see their scores drop from excellent to good, ‘without necessarily having experienced any decrease in standards.
Geoff Barton of the Association of School and College Leaders said that schools might see their ratings drop from excellent to good, ‘without necessarily having experienced any decrease in standards.
This was not a comfort for the school that was inspected and is not an easy message for parents or communities to hear.
Professor Alan Smithers of Buckingham University’s Centre for Education and Employment Research stated that “Outstanding schools were not inspected before to save money.
“Many people have become complacent, according to recent re-inspections. To keep schools on track, regular inspections are essential.
Schools with a rating of ‘outstanding’ were not allowed to reinspect unless there was a severe dip or parent complaint.
2019 found 1,620 schools that had not been in inspection for at least 6 years. Nearly 300 of these schools were not subject to an inspection in the past ten years.
We have reached out to Ash CofE, Cove Infant School for comments.