Theme: Ofsted

The Ofsted chief inspector appears to have changed her view on using education to direct learners into work, after years of attacking arts courses for their minimal job prospects. Speaking at the Festival of Education today, Amanda Spielman said inspections should not focus on a “utilitarian” view of education. “We do children a great disservice […]

Gavin Williamson has revealed the government is looking to accelerate the timetable for Ofsted inspections in order to address the backlog of schools and FE providers due a visit. The education secretary was questioned by the Parliamentary education committee this morning on the possibility of speeding up the process for those left waiting for inspections, […]

Ofsted inspectors will “always” report where a school fails to comply with the Baker clause and “consider” how it affects their grade, the watchdog has clarified following mounting pressure. Yesterday, the Commons Education Select Committee recommended schools be limited to ‘requires improvement’ if they are not allowing training providers to access their pupils, as mandated […]

MPs have called on Ofsted to cut schools off from the top two inspection grades if they fail to comply with the Baker Clause. In a report out today, the education select committee recommends a school be limited to a grade three under such circumstances. This comes days after Ofsted bosses caused confusion about whether […]

College principals are in uproar over being excluded from yet another government fund because they are stuck with a poor Ofsted grade, with no way to improve. Last week, the Department for Education revealed grade three colleges would not be eligible for the new £18 million Growth Fund to expand provision of higher technical qualifications […]

A theatre and dance company has been slammed by Ofsted for body shaming its students. Learners at the Bodywork Company, based in Cambridge, told inspectors of choosing not to eat after classes for fear they will gain weight following “inappropriate” comments made by some staff in front of their peers. Students told the watchdog that […]

A confused picture has emerged after Ofsted’s chief inspector contradicted her FE director on whether poor careers advice could limit inspection grades. Chief inspector Amanda Spielman told the Commons education select committee this morning it was “unlikely” a school would receive an ‘outstanding’ rating if its careers guidance, namely compliance with the Baker Clause, was […]

Colleges will have to share their records and analysis of sexual abuse when Ofsted comes knocking in the future. Inspectors will also speak to students about such issues after the watchdog admitted its inspections do not yet “sufficiently assess” the extent of sexual harassment in schools and colleges. The new rules follow a rapid review […]

Amanda Spielman has been given two extra years in the role of Ofsted chief inspector, the Department for Education has confirmed. FE Week’s sister publication Schools Week revealed earlier this month that the extension had been agreed by government but was awaiting Privy Council signoff. The DfE confirmed today that it is going ahead. Spielman joined the […]