Ofsted’s new inspection proposals have sparked frustration among educators and officials. School leaders argue the plans lack clarity and fail to address key issues in special needs education. With final approval due soon, critics say the changes are merely superficial.
The draft framework, set for approval this week, includes revised grading labels and fewer evaluation areas. However, experts say Ofsted’s new inspection proposals remain too vague. Terms like “broadly” and “typically” leave too much room for interpretation.
One school leader called the changes “a pick-and-mix of random rules.” Another warned that unclear criteria could push most schools into middle-tier ratings. Meanwhile, Department for Education (DfE) officials worry the plans ignore upcoming reforms for special educational needs (Send).
Ofsted has faced heavy criticism since the tragic death of Ruth Perry in 2023. The coroner linked her suicide to inspection pressures. Now, teachers fear the revised system won’t fix deep-rooted problems. Originally, the inspectorate proposed a “secure” grade but changed it to “expected standard” after backlash. Other adjustments include renaming top ratings from “exemplary” to “exceptional.” Yet, critics argue these tweaks are just cosmetic.
The DfE has raised concerns that Ofsted’s new inspection proposals don’t align with upcoming Send reforms. Mainstream schools will soon host more special needs units, but the framework doesn’t reflect this shift. Officials warn that schools may avoid enrolling Send pupils if inspections prioritize test scores. One internal note even called the toolkit “out of date” before its release.
Unions say the November rollout is too rushed. The Association of School and College Leaders called the timeline “unacceptable,” citing added stress for educators. Many fear the changes will further damage trust in Ofsted. Ruth Perry’s sister, Julia Waters, condemned the plans as a “rehash of a flawed system.” With tensions still high, the inspectorate faces an uphill battle to regain confidence.
Ofsted insists the final framework will address feedback when published in September. A spokesperson said, “We’re tightening language based on responses.” However, skepticism remains widespread. For now, educators wait to see if Ofsted’s new inspection proposals will truly improve accountability—or just repeat past mistakes.
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