Ofsted

In a debate in the House of Commons, the Government, represented by the Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell, outlined proposed changes to Ofsted reporting. The Minister explained that single headline grades will no longer be issued by Ofsted when inspecting state-funded schools. This landmark reform aims to drive high and rising standards for children and increase transparency for parents. The official opposition, represented by Damian Hinds, the shadow Secretary of State, acknowledged the need for improvement in the system but expressed concerns about the consequences of the Government's announcement. Hinds questioned whether Ofsted would still have a legal duty to identify schools needing intervention and whether the Department would continue to intervene based on the same criteria as before. He also raised questions about the implications for other sectors, such as early years and social care, as well as the effectiveness of the proposed regional improvement teams compared to the proven approach of academy trusts. The debate that followed covered a range of topics. Several members, including Alistair Strathern and Sureena Brackenridge, welcomed the focus on inclusion and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Munira Wilson, expressed support for the move away from single-word judgments but called for further root-and-branch reform of Ofsted. The Conservative member Sir Gavin Williamson raised the issue of intervention for failing schools, and the Minister reiterated the Government's commitment to continue intervening where necessary. Other members, such as Layla Moran and Sir Julian Lewis, shared their experiences with Ofsted inspections and offered suggestions for improving the inspection regime, including the possibility of a more detailed marking system. The debate also touched on the importance of teacher recruitment and retention, with members like Luke Charters highlighting the need to make teaching an attractive and respected profession. Throughout the discussion, the Minister emphasized the Government's determination to drive high and rising standards for every child in every school, and the importance of working in partnership with the education sector to achieve this goal.