General Election 2024 - Ofsted Reform

All the parties have included some reference to Ofsted or inspection in their recent manifestos. While in headline terms they are saying different things, fundamental unanswered questions remain about all of the new commitments...

Given the significant press coverage of Ofsted inspections over the last two years, it is understandable that all parties see it as an important area of reform.?We believe that a well-designed, implemented and executed Ofsted can and needs to be a force for good for teachers, learners and parents / carers. The inclusion of Ofsted in all the manifestos recognises that there is still a lot of work to do to get there.

The Conservatives appear the least likely to dramatically reform Ofsted and how it operates - unsurprising given the position they've held firm while in government. They make the case that 90% of schools are currently rated Good or Outstanding, up from 68% in 2010. They promise support to Ofsted in providing clear judgements to parents on the quality and safety of schools. Although not specified, it appears likely that this would retain Ofsted’s current system of inspections and single grade descriptors.

The Liberal Democrats are pledging to expand the areas over which Ofsted may monitor and how they deliver verdicts. They have committed to including arts in the English Baccalaureate, and Ofsted will have the power to ensure subjects such as arts music and drama are provided by schools. They would end single-word judgements to provide parents and schools with an improved perspective of strengths and weaknesses.?

Labour has suggested that the 90% Good or Outstanding rate across schools shows that the current inspection system is not working. Their manifesto pledges, like the Liberal Democrats, to remove the single headline grade. They will look to implement a report card system in its place - what is not clear is how this change will drive a different approach, there will be a range of implementation options but existing benchmarking tools, such as the Education Policy Institute's, provide a good place to start. It's a natural response of systems that 'what gets measured, gets done' so deciding on the specifics of the reporting and balance of prominence will drive how schools, colleges and providers respond.

Labour has also committed to expanding the remit of Ofsted to include Multi-Academy Trusts, alongside introducing annual reviews of safeguarding, attendance and off-rolling. It is unclear how, or if necessarily Ofsted themselves, would complete these annual reviews, but they appear to be factors which could be monitored remotely, avoiding the need for a further inspection visit. Resourcing an effective Ofsted has always been a challenge and will become even greater if there scope is increased.

There is clearly a risk with the commitments on inspection that parties are focused on the process of producing the report rather than how the inspection feels to teachers, pupils and parents / carers, and how changing this could improve outcomes. As with any new commitment the details matter here - designing a report card which is accessible for parents / carers, but also gives Labour's new 'regional improvement teams' the richness of information they might need (and indeed a trigger for involvement in the first place), is going to be a challenge.?

Whilst timing is unclear this doesn't feel like a change that will come quickly. If done properly it will require consultation - including with parents / carers, if their understanding and engagement is truly an aim - and if the change is significant a legislative spot will be needed.?A new government will also need to settle on the details of any curriculum changes before rushing into any amends of the inspection framework.?