The return of Ofsted inspections
Omicron may have brought Ofsted inspections to a pause in December, but most of the autumn term was a busy period for the non-ministerial department, with a return to a full schedule of inspections and the targeted inspection of schools formerly exempt.
Omicron may have brought Ofsted inspections to a pause in December, but most of the autumn term was a busy period for the non-ministerial department, with a return to a full schedule of inspections and the targeted inspection of schools formerly exempt. Outstanding schools will have been feeling the heat. Amanda Spielman has spoken of halving the number of schools with this grade and statistics from last term mirror this figure.
We are being approached by an increasing number of schools seeking to challenge their recent inspection. Where schools have come to us following a particularly drastic grade change, a judgement of ineffective safeguarding has been a noticeable theme. We have also heard repeatedly from our school and academy clients that there is a lack of genuine consideration by Ofsted of the impact of the pandemic. Despite the additional text within the School Inspection Handbook and the standard lines added to reports, many schools’ experience is that the actual practical repercussions of operating a school in such times are not being fairly acknowledged and reflected as part of the inspection process.
If you have an Ofsted inspection looming or are not happy with the outcome of a report, please contact us for advice.
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Charity law update: December 2024
Online Event
Handling parent complaints against staff: Panel discussion
Online Event
Pupillage open evening
Press Release
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Comments from education lawyers
Legal Update
School exclusions case confirms ‘substance over form’ is key
Press Release
Browne Jacobson continues strategic expansion in Wales with new corporate partner
Legal Update
Stark increase in rates of school suspensions and exclusions
Online Event
Embracing AI to improve school governance
Legal Update
Navigating workplace sexual harassment laws during the festive season
Press Release
Comments on the latest SEND tribunal statistics
On-Demand
Managing safeguarding allegations against staff
Guide - PFI expiry
PFI expiry guidance for schools
Opinion
Revolutionising the Workforce: Impact of Get Britain Working White Paper
Legal Update
The power of storytelling (and curiosity)
Online Event
Supporting universities to meet their financial duties
Podcast - #EdInfluence
#EdInfluence podcast (series 4): In conversation with inspiring leaders
Press Release - School leaders survey
Browne Jacobson’s latest School Leaders Survey illustrates need for better SEND guidance as exclusions rise
Press Release
New hires at Browne Jacobson will support schools with data compliance amid enhanced ICO scrutiny
Opinion
Balancing employer flexibility and employee rights
Legal Update - School leaders survey
School Leaders Survey Autumn 2024: The results are in
Legal Update - Be Connected (schools)
Be Connected: Schools and academy trusts November 2024
On-Demand
Shaping a culture of respect and safety: Preventing sexual harassment in our schools
Legal Update
Funding withdrawn for trusts and academy conversions
Legal Update
Top five takeaways for schools on the Employment Rights Bill
Legal Update
Martyn's Law: A closer look at the UK's new proposed anti-terror measures
Legal Update
New High Court case on exclusion reconsiderations
Legal Update
Building an inclusive workplace: Strategies for attracting and retaining disabled talent
Legal Update
New practical guidance on challenging Ofsted inspections
Legal Update
What will the new RISE Scheme mean for schools and academy trusts?
On-Demand
How schools can grapple with new employment law to thrive in a new era
Legal Update
Five steps to turn the tide on Subject Access Requests
Guide
New guidance for intervention in schools
Legal Update
Silence persists on gender questioning guidance for schools
Online Event
EdCon 2025
Press Release
Browne Jacobson comments on the government's announcement of tuition fee rises
Legal Update - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected: Higher education Autumn 2024
Legal Update
Supreme Court clarifies public authority liability: Police duty of care in negligence cases
Legal Update - Employment Rights Bill
Labour’s employment law reforms: Employment Rights Bill unveiled
Legal Update
Expanding the role of school attendance mentors
