DfE considers extending ‘school profile’ plans to FE providers

Ministers will also rule on a new 'proportionate and relevant' approach to accountability amid Ofsted's report cards plan

Ministers will also rule on a new 'proportionate and relevant' approach to accountability amid Ofsted's report cards plan

New digital “school profiles” that link existing databases and offer a “one stop shop” for information about a school’s performance might be extended to FE providers, the government has said.

The Department for Education published proposals today for a “significantly strengthened school accountability system”, with the education secretary Bridget Phillipson vowing to raise “the bar on what we expect from schools”.

It comes as Ofsted launches its own consultation on the design of new-style report cards, which are set to introduce a colour-coded five-point grading scale from “exemplary” to “causing concern” across potentially 20 areas for FE colleges and providers.

Ofsted’s inspection judgments play a critical role in the DfE’s accountability regime with the further education and skills sector. Current single headline grades are used, for example, to decide whether to terminate apprenticeship provider contracts and whether to place a college into FE Commissioner intervention.

In announcing changes for school accountability, the DfE said it recognised that the introduction of report card arrangements will also “mean a different approach” to accountability will be needed for FE providers. 

While no FE-specific proposals have been put forward yet, DfE said it will “work with the sector and stakeholders over the coming months to consider a proportionate and relevant approach to how Ofsted grades are used in future across the range of engagement and accountability activity”.

During this time the DfE will “revamp the way parents see information about schools, through new digital ‘school profiles’”.

At present, there are multiple online databases for the public, such as “get information about schools”, “compare school performance”, Ofsted’s website and scores of weekly, monthly and annual publications on things like attendance.

The government’s plans “will mean a comprehensive modernisation of the Department for Education’s existing online schools directory, creating a one-stop-shop where parents can see key, up-to-date data around areas like attainment and attendance, as well as the school’s latest inspection report card”.

DfE’s consultation revealed that it “will explore whether this approach” of school profiles “should be extended to further education institutions”.

A “first version” of the profiles are expected to launch in the 2025-26 academic year, with further development expected based on “continuous user research”.

Read the full consultation here.

Latest education roles from

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Dodd Partners

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Apprenticeships are for life, not just National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week is one of the awareness events that we all mark in our calendars. It’s a hive...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Functional Skills reimagined: Drive success in English & Mathematics with modern qualifications.

In today’s educational landscape, supporting learners with essential English and maths skills goes beyond traditional teaching. It’s about providing...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Do you want to be part of The Bedford College Group’s next chapter?

At The Bedford College Group, we are passionate about transforming lives and communities through education. As one of the...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

It’s Education’s Time to Shine: Celebrate your Education Community in 2025!

The deadline is approaching to nominate a colleague, team, whole school or college for the 2025 Pearson National Teaching...

Advertorial

More from this theme

Apprenticeships, Ofsted

Public relations training firm rated ‘outstanding’

Apprenticeships provision at international PR company lauded for ‘exceptional’ leadership

Anviksha Patel
Ofsted

Ofsted report cards: We’ll face more pressure, not less, say FE staff

Leaders warn of 'greater risk of error' which is likely to lead to more complaints

Billy Camden
Ofsted

Ofsted report cards could double number of graded areas for FE

5-point scale to be introduced in a model that unions claim is 'worse than single-word judgments', while chief inspector...

Billy Camden
Ofsted

Ofsted report cards for FE: What you need to know

Watchdog sets out plan for new grading scale and areas that will be judged

Anviksha Patel

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *