Ofsted chief inspector Martyn Oliver has been blasted for an “incendiary” speech to school leaders, as headteachers insist schools’ contexts are not being adequately considered in inspections. Oliver told the ASCL conference on Friday he would “never acquiesce to the quiet curse of low expectations that would see Ofsted prioritise context over outcomes for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children”. He claimed that where disadvantaged and vulnerable children are underperforming, critics “argue we should recognise the work and the effort – and downplay disappointing outcomes. “Of course we will recognise the work, celebrate where that school is doing well and identify the contextual challenges being faced. But we can never downplay the disappointing outcomes.”