Ofsted has come in for some criticism recently and only a real shake up is likely to restore the confidence of the profession. Missed safeguarding incidents, turn-around judgements following the Trojan horse allegations and then the accusation of leaked Ofsted inspection dates. 2014 was something of an annus horribilis for the watch dog.
However, there has been some muted applause for the consultation outline, ‘Better inspection for all’ - the responses to which were published as a report last week.
This document does have factors in its favour. Inspectors will no longer be outsourced, and it is proposed that ‘good’ schools only receive a short inspection every three years. Personal development and student welfare feature more strongly and, although the small print is yet to come, there is the sense that Ofsted will take a wider lens when inspecting our schools.