Management Information Sheet
Ofsted Guidance for Monitoring Inspections of Schools
Ofsted have reviewed their arrangements for monitoring inspections of schools under section 8 of the 2005 Education Act, and they have published new guidance relating to:
This guidance is accessible on the Ofsted website via the links provided.
The changes made to the arrangements for monitoring inspections are:
Notice periods for monitoring inspections
A key element of the arrangements outlined to schools in September 2009 related to notification periods. The specific date of monitoring inspections was to be unannounced. However, a four-week notification period for most of these inspections was introduced for the collection of data and inspection information.
As from January 2010, Ofsted have decided not to continue with the four-week notification period.
However, they will continue with unannounced monitoring inspections and from January 2010, most section 8 monitoring inspections will be conducted without prior notification, although the lead inspector will arrive at the school the afternoon beforehand to meet with senior leaders and complete preparation and planning for the inspection. The lead inspector will telephone the school, in the morning before s/he is due to arrive, to inform the headteacher or most senior member of staff present of the inspection. If it is not possible to contact the school by telephone, the lead inspector will inform staff of the inspection on arrival.
The exception to unannounced monitoring inspections relates to schools requiring special measures.
Schools requiring special measures will be given no more than two working days' notice for each of their first three monitoring inspections. Their subsequent monitoring inspections will be conducted without prior notification, although the lead inspector will make a telephone call and arrive at the school the afternoon beforehand as stated above.
In the case of schools with a notice to improve where safeguarding was judged to be inadequate, in HMCI's September 2009 letter it was indicated that unannounced monitoring inspections for these schools could take place at any time following the inspection that highlighted this important weakness, and, that they were likely to occur at the earliest opportunity. This will continue to be the case. However, again as stated above, the lead inspector will arrive at the school the afternoon before the monitoring visit takes place, having made a telephone call in the morning before arrival. Ofsted will be reviewing their guidance and listening to feedback from schools, local authorities, professional associations and inspectors as the academic year progresses.
| Monitoring inspections of schools that are subject to special measures (www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090272) | |
| Monitoring inspections of schools with a notice to improve (www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090277) | |
| Monitoring inspections of schools whose overall effectiveness is satisfactory (www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090283) |
This guidance is accessible on the Ofsted website via the links provided.
The changes made to the arrangements for monitoring inspections are:
Notice periods for monitoring inspections
A key element of the arrangements outlined to schools in September 2009 related to notification periods. The specific date of monitoring inspections was to be unannounced. However, a four-week notification period for most of these inspections was introduced for the collection of data and inspection information.
As from January 2010, Ofsted have decided not to continue with the four-week notification period.
However, they will continue with unannounced monitoring inspections and from January 2010, most section 8 monitoring inspections will be conducted without prior notification, although the lead inspector will arrive at the school the afternoon beforehand to meet with senior leaders and complete preparation and planning for the inspection. The lead inspector will telephone the school, in the morning before s/he is due to arrive, to inform the headteacher or most senior member of staff present of the inspection. If it is not possible to contact the school by telephone, the lead inspector will inform staff of the inspection on arrival.
The exception to unannounced monitoring inspections relates to schools requiring special measures.
Schools requiring special measures will be given no more than two working days' notice for each of their first three monitoring inspections. Their subsequent monitoring inspections will be conducted without prior notification, although the lead inspector will make a telephone call and arrive at the school the afternoon beforehand as stated above.
In the case of schools with a notice to improve where safeguarding was judged to be inadequate, in HMCI's September 2009 letter it was indicated that unannounced monitoring inspections for these schools could take place at any time following the inspection that highlighted this important weakness, and, that they were likely to occur at the earliest opportunity. This will continue to be the case. However, again as stated above, the lead inspector will arrive at the school the afternoon before the monitoring visit takes place, having made a telephone call in the morning before arrival. Ofsted will be reviewing their guidance and listening to feedback from schools, local authorities, professional associations and inspectors as the academic year progresses.