Proposed changes to independent school inspection

Released 24/01/2012

Ofsted launches consultation for the inspection of all ‘non-association’ independent schools, aimed to raise expectations of pupil attainment and performance

Improvement of the independent school pupils are to be balanced out with their starting points and the school’s existing record of pupil’s progress

Education watchdog Ofsted has launched a consultation for the inspection of all ‘non-association’ independent schools in England.

The proposed changes to inspection, set to begin in September 2012, are intended to raise expectations for improvement and performance in independent schools for the benefit of pupils and their parents.

The inspections are to determine children’s attainment within the context of their age and ability and are to be based on observations of the pupils work.

Improvement of the independent school pupil will then be balanced out with their starting points and the school’s existing record of pupil’s progress.

Director of education and care at Ofsted, Jean Humphrys, commented on the announcement: “The quality of teaching is the key driver of school improvement,” she said.

“One of the main findings from Ofsted inspection in this sector is that the quality of teaching in non-association independent schools tends to be competent but seldom inspiring.

“It is vital that our inspection is incisive and rigorous, and that judgments are fair, clear and helpful to a school’s further development. With these new arrangements we will focus more sharply on what makes teaching truly effective.”

Ofsted has stated that it “will continue to use a four point scale to make qualitative judgements” adding that “detailed grade descriptors will seek to provide more consistency, openness and transparency and encourage independent schools to strive further for improvements to the quality of provision”.

The education watchdog said that the “key areas” to inspection judgments proposed are “overall effectiveness; pupils’ achievement; pupils’ behaviour and safety; quality of teaching; quality of the curriculum; provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; provision for pupils’ welfare, health and safety; and leadership and management”.

“Without notice”

Ofsted has also stated that it intends to carry out no-notice inspections from September 2012, due to recommendations from pupil’s parents and carers.

Currently, independent schools are permitted two days’ notice before an educational inspection, though is set to alter this to no-notice inspections in September.

“Inspection without notice is important as it lets the inspectors see the school as it really is,” said the educational watchdog, adding that it intends to test the new inspection arrangements in pilot inspection schemes before September 2012.

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