Schools
 In this issue, you can read about the changes we have made to the way we inspect schools and there is news about some of the changes that our new Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, is looking to introduce from September 2012. We invite you to give your views on our consultation on the inspection of some independent schools. We also highlight two survey reports about volunteering and about ICT in schools.
News
New arrangements for inspecting schools - From January this year, Ofsted has made changes to the way it inspects schools in England (including academies and free schools). In this article, we explain the reasons for the changes, outline the new process and tell you how parents can give their views through our online questionnaire called Parent View.
Ofsted releases materials for history coordinators - Ofsted has released new resources to support the improvement of teaching and learning of history in schools.
Changes to independent school inspection - Ofsted has launched a consultation about its inspection of all ‘non-association’ independent schools in England. The changes proposed for September 2012 are intended to raise expectations for further improvement in the performance of these schools for the benefit of children, parents and carers.
Ofsted announces scrapping of ‘satisfactory’ judgement in move designed to help improve education for millions of children - At a government summit on ‘coasting schools’ held at Downing Street on 10 January, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, confirmed his intention to replace the ‘satisfactory’ judgement for school inspections with a new 'requires improvement' judgement.
Ofsted announces plans for no-notice inspection for schools - Ofsted’s Chief Inspector also announced plans to introduce no-notice inspections for all regular school inspections from September 2012. With our new Parent View online questionnaire we can make this change and have confidence that we can still consider the views of parents during inspections.
Young people are not being sufficiently challenged in ICT lessons - Ofsted's report, ICT in schools 2008–11, published in December 2011, has found that achievement in information, communication and technology (ICT) was inadequate in almost a fifth of the secondary schools visited.
Volunteering can be beneficial to the most vulnerable youngsters - In early December, to coincide with International Volunteering Day, Ofsted published Choosing to volunteer, a survey of what works best in engaging young people in volunteering within schools, colleges and in the community.
Have you rated your child's school on Parent View? - More than 14,100 parents have completed a survey on Parent View, Ofsted's online questionnaire, where parents and carers can give their views on their child’s school at any time of the year. You need an email address and a password to register and a few minutes to answer the questions.
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This month, we invite you to take part in our consultations about our inspection of ‘non-association’ independent schools and the way we inspect the work of adoption support agencies. You can also read news about the Office of the Children's Rights Director and about our new arrangements for inspecting child protection services. 
This month, there is news about changing the 'satisfactory' judgement following inspection to 'requires improvment'. We also take a look at the experiences of the young people, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, who participate in volunteering programmes and a learner shares her perspective on one of Ofsted's reports. 
This month, we invite you to take part in our consultation about the way we register and inspect early years provision. You can also read about the changes we are making by publishing the contacts details of childminders.
