Education Committee inquiries into Ofsted’s impact

The Education Committee delves into Ofsted’s influence on schools with questions from various stakeholders, aiming to evaluate its effectiveness. 

On Tuesday 17 October, The Education Committee will question representatives of unions, parents, pupils and governors about their experiences with Ofsted in the first evidence session of its inquiry into Ofsted’s work with schools.

The inquiry received mixed evidence as to whether Ofsted helps schools improve, and whether their feedback is useful to school leaders and teachers. A 2019 survey by Ofsted found that 50% of surveyed teachers disagreed that inspection helps individual schools improve.

In the first panel, MPs will question union representatives about their concerns regarding Ofsted and recommendations for change. The cross-party Committee could ask the witnesses about the value of inspection reports and school feedback, Ofsted’s system of one-word judgements, the impact of these judgements, and an inspection’s effect on the workload and well-being of teachers and pupils. Ofsted’s current Education Inspection Framework, introduced in 2019, may also be discussed.

The Committee will hear from representatives of parents, pupils, governors and trusts in the second panel. Questions will likely focus on their experiences of Ofsted and how well the organisation engages and works with these different groups. MPs may ask about the value and impact of judgements on these different groups, and how Ofsted can ensure their views and experiences are considered.

Witnesses from 10:00:

• Tom Middlehurst, Curriculum, Assessment and Inspection Specialist, Association of School and Colleage Leaders (ASCL)
• Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, National Education Union (NEU)
• Iain Hartwright, Head of Policy, National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)

Witnesses from 11:00:

• Sam Henson, Director of Policy and Communications, National Governance Association (NGA)
• Jason Elsom, CEO, Parentkind
• Charlotte Rainer, Coalition Lead, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition
• Steve Rollett, Deputy Chief Executive, Confederation of School Trusts