Only the most senior Ofsted inspectors will carry out inspections when they return in November, meaning fewer will take place than usual.
However the watchdog was unable to say how many fewer inspections this would mean for education providers.
The move is the latest from Ofsted as it attempts to assure the sector over its plans to introduce new report card inspections this autumn.
Critics say the reforms are “far too rushed”, with providers having just weeks between seeing the final plans and being inspected. Ofsted previously pledged education institutions would have a term’s notice to get used to the new framework, but later reneged on this, sparking backlash from the sector.
Many also still have huge concerns over the proposals for a new five-point grading system an potentially 20 inspection areas.
But in a bid to further “reassure” the sector, Ofsted today announced an “enhanced quality assurance process” that it says will help ensure “a steady and assured start” in November.
Inspections will be led and carried out only by “the most senior and experienced” HMIs to begin with, the watchdog announced.
Fewer autumn inspections
HMIs are civil servants who often work for Ofsted full-time, whereas Ofsted inspectors (OIs) work for the watchdog on a freelance basis and usually hold other positions in the sector.
OIs will be phased into inspections following training, but Ofsted does not yet know when this will be.
This means there will be fewer inspections than usual in November and December. There will also be no education inspections in the final week before the Christmas holiday, “to allow for further inspector training”.
Ofsted could not say how many inspections there are likely to be in November and December, or how this compares to usual numbers.
Pilot Ofsted inspections to be scrutinised
In early autumn, senior inspectors will also take part in pilot visits to volunteer settings.
Ofsted said its national director for education and its principal inspector, Lee Owston, will personally quality assure the work of most senior inspectors following these visits. Inspectors will also carry out a “comprehensive” training programme before being deployed on a live inspection.
During autumn inspections, a random sample of providers will be invited to take part in “exit interviews” with Owston and senior Ofsted officials, to give feedback on their inspection experience and the reforms.
All providers will be invited to carry out a post-inspection survey.
Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver will also invite sector representatives to a series of roundtable meetings “to share their thoughts on the renewed framework”.
Julie McCulloch, director of strategy and policy at leaders’ union ASCL, today welcomed Ofsted’s efforts to provide assurance to schools and colleges, but said “the fact remains that the timeline is far too rushed and the five-point grading system proposed is fundamentally flawed”.
“The assurance that the sector needs is for Ofsted and the government to rethink the current proposals and then introduce the new inspection system in a less frantic manner giving schools and colleges time to absorb and prepare for what are very significant changes.
“A headlong rush towards a poorly constructed inspection system benefits nobody.”
But Oliver said he is “confident” the inspectorate’s reforms “will deliver an improved system of education inspection”.
“But we’re also serious about giving providers the support they need to engage confidently and fairly with the changes, and ensuring a steady and assured start to inspections under the renewed framework,” he added.
“I want to reassure everyone that we’re taking every possible measure to provide a consistent and high-quality inspection experience for all, right from the off.”
Ofsted also confirmed leaders’ all requests for an inspection deferral will be reviewed directly by its deputy chief inspector, “to make sure each case is treated with utmost sensitivity and consideration”.
For the first few months of inspections Ofsted will continually update an online FAQ document and produce blogs to “share reflections” and “counter any emerging myths”.
Ofsted is expected to provide more information in September, when it publishes its delayed response to its consultation.
There is a misuse of the terminology of who will be handpicked to lead the initial inspections. Being highly experienced does not always mean ‘good’. Good inspectors will work with nominees to get it right. If Ofsted looks back at previous good practice they might try and use more local inspectors who could have a face-to-face planning meetings, these set the scene and facilitate trust between HMI and nominee/provider staff. A good HMI will take away anxiety and make it clear what the provider can prepare to make the inspection run smoothly. I can go on and on with practice that makes inspection run smoothly but that should be what Ofsted should have been doing all these years. Please, please ensure OIs have vocational expertise for ITPs and colleges if Ofsted are to be able to judge learner acquisition of knowledge and skills along with the accuracy of what is being taught.