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Ofsted to set out changes to school inspections School inspection changes proposed by Ofsted
(about 1 hour later)
The head of Ofsted is set to outline changes to school inspections and defend the schools' watchdog, in a speech to headteachers. The head of Ofsted is set to outline proposals to change school inspections and defend the schools' watchdog, in a speech to head teachers.
He is set to propose more frequent but shorter inspections of schools in England, with longer visits reserved for under-performing schools.He is set to propose more frequent but shorter inspections of schools in England, with longer visits reserved for under-performing schools.
Sir Michael Wilshaw will say "there is little evidence to suggest that the number of misjudgements has increased". Sir Michael Wilshaw will say: "There is little evidence to suggest that the number of misjudgements has increased."
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) says change is needed.The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) says change is needed.
The union, which is holding its annual conference in Birmingham, has raised questions about the quality of some inspectors and has called for a new two-stage inspection system.The union, which is holding its annual conference in Birmingham, has raised questions about the quality of some inspectors and has called for a new two-stage inspection system.
A survey by ASCL of 900 head teachers found that 65% said they do not have confidence in Ofsted overall to make accurate and reliable judgments. A survey by ASCL of 900 head teachers found that 65% said they did not have confidence in Ofsted overall to make accurate and reliable judgements.
However, Sir Michael will tell the ASCL conference that Ofsted is helping to push up standards.However, Sir Michael will tell the ASCL conference that Ofsted is helping to push up standards.
"Ofsted will always champion the right of every child to a decent education," he said. "And Ofsted will always shine a spotlight on those institutions that fail to provide it." "Ofsted will always champion the right of every child to a decent education," he will say. "And Ofsted will always shine a spotlight on those institutions that fail to provide it."
Fair judgementsFair judgements
He is set to say that lighter-touch inspections for high-performing schools could be introduced in the future, along with a shift towards the use of more experienced inspectors. He is expected to say that lighter-touch inspections for high-performing schools could be introduced in the future, along with a shift towards the use of more experienced inspectors.
"I recognise that the inspection stakes are far higher than they've ever been, which also means that the pressure on Ofsted to get it right is also much higher," he said. "But it does not mean that our inspectors routinely get it wrong - they don't." Sir Michael will say that schools in the top two ratings of outstanding or good could in future be visited more often, but by just one inspector, on a single day visit.
Sir Michael will say that schools in the top two ratings of outstanding or good could in future be visited more often, but by just by one inspector, on a single day visit. His proposals are backed by ASCL, which published a report calling for good or outstanding schools to receive an initial one-day visit from an inspector.
His proposals are backed by ASCL which published a report calling for good or outstanding schools to receive an initial one-day visit from an inspector.
This check would look at whether a full inspection was needed to come up with an action plan for improvement.This check would look at whether a full inspection was needed to come up with an action plan for improvement.
Sir Michael's speech comes after a report by the Policy Exchange think tank that said many Ofsted inspectors do not have the skills needed to make fair judgements of schools. ASCL general secretary Brian Lightman said the current system of inspections had a "negative impact" and had "served its purpose".
The report recommended that Ofsted abolishes or radically reduces the number of inspectors it uses from private firms and called for inspectors to pass an accreditation exam. He said: "What happens sometimes is that on the back of an inspection, which recognises that schools have got areas to improve but they are still schools which are doing lots of good things, people are losing their jobs.
"That's putting people off going for headship and that's very worrying.
"We need to move away from that," he added.
Sir Michael's speech comes after a report by the Policy Exchange think tank that said many Ofsted inspectors did not have the skills needed to make fair judgements of schools.
The report recommended that Ofsted abolished or radically reduced the number of inspectors it used from private firms and called for inspectors to pass an accreditation exam.
Ofsted, which carries out inspections in England's schools, said it would study Policy Exchange's recommendations closely.Ofsted, which carries out inspections in England's schools, said it would study Policy Exchange's recommendations closely.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Sir Michael said: "It's no secret that I want all our inspectors to be employed by Ofsted.
"I want all inspections to be led by Her Majesty's inspectors and I want to move incrementally to that position."