Issue - meetings

School Ofsted Judgements

Meeting: 04/09/2018 - Children's Select Committee (Item 54)

54 School Ofsted Judgements

The committee is provided with an overview of state funded (Local Authority (LA) maintained and academies) school inspection outcomes at the end of the 17/18 academic year, including analysis of inspection outcomes by phase of school, by LA maintained or academies and trends from last year.  The report includes analysis of the current Ofsted inspection position from published reports as at the end of July 2018 for all schools and academies and further considers outcomes for schools for inspections carried out during the 17/18 academic year.

 

Members are asked to ask questions on the contents of the report and provide comments.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report by the interim Director, Education & Skills which provided an overview of state funded school inspection outcomes at the end of the 2017/18 academic year, including an analysis of inspection outcomes by phase of school, by LA maintained or academies and trends from the previous year.  The report also included an analysis of the current Ofsted position from published reports as at the end of July 2018 for all schools and academies and further considered outcomes for schools for inspections carried out during the 2017/18 academic year.

 

It was noted that Ofsted had the direct remit of ‘Raising Standards, Improving Lives’ and in its 2017-2022 strategy document stated that it

 

“exists to be: ‘A force for improvement through intelligent, responsible and focused inspection and regulation’ “

 

Inspections focused on the following four main areas

 

·         Effectiveness of leadership and management

·         Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

·         Personal development, behaviour and welfare

·         Outcomes for pupils

 

Where appropriate the effectiveness of early years or sixth form was also inspected.

 

From the evidence collected, schools were given an overall effectiveness grade:

 

·         Grade 1 (outstanding)

·         Grade 2 (good)

·         Grade 3 (requires improvement)

·         Grade 4 (inadequate)

 

It was noted that academies worked with the Regional School Commissioner rather than the Local Authority for school improvement.

 

From the statistical information provided, the Committee noted that Wiltshire’s figures as at March 2018 were broadly comparable with the national average and more closely comparable with those schools in the South West. However, it was worrying to note that Wiltshire’s figures (good & outstanding places) had fallen from 93% at August 2016 to 84% in March 2018.

 

78% of primary schools in Wiltshire with existing grades achieved Ofsted grades the same or better whilst 88% of Wiltshire secondary schools with existing grades achieved Ofsted grades the same or better.

 

It was drawn to Members’ attention that whilst schools graded 2 to 4 required Ofsted inspections every three years, this was not a requirement of schools grading as being outstanding.   Some concern expressed on receiving this information but Members were informed that Ofsted were always grateful to receive any concerns or complaints about school standards which could be investigated.

 

Resolved:

 

To note the update on school Ofsted judgements.