Ofsted launches consultation on proportionate inspection for independent schools

04 Sep 2006

The consultation document, Arrangements for the inspection of non-association independent schools, outlines plans for shorter and more frequent inspections of non-association independent schools.

Inspections would be carried out once every three years instead of every six years, to provide more up-to-date information for parents and other interested parties. The notice period ahead of inspection would be cut from six to eight weeks to two days, to prevent unnecessary preparation by schools.

Ofsted will also involve schools more directly in the inspection process by introducing the self-evaluation form. The form will be completed at the start of the inspection and will help identify the schools' strengths and weaknesses as well as the action they are taking to improve. Schools involved in the pilot inspections so far have said they found this valuable.

Ofsted is also proposing to introduce an inspection system that is more proportionate to risk. In the second cycle of inspection successful schools would receive a 'lighter touch' inspection. This will further reduce the burden on successful schools and enable Ofsted to focus resources on those which do not meet the statutory requirements for registration as an independent school.

Ofsted is conducting a national consultation on the proposals, which is running for six weeks until Friday 13 October 2006. The consultation document and the online questionnaire can be found on the Ofsted website.

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Ofsted launches consultation on proportionate inspection for independent schools

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