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Gavin Williamson MP and Ofsted give evidence in accountability hearings

10 June 2021

The Education Committee will question both Secretary of State Gavin Williamson and Ofsted’s Chief Inspector of Schools Amanda Spielman in separate accountability hearings this month.

On Tuesday 15 June, Amanda Spielman will first appear alongside Vanessa Ward, Chief Executive and Chief Inspector of the Independent Schools Inspectorate, to face questions on safeguarding in schools. On Thursday this week, Ofsted published its review of safeguarding policies in both state and independent schools and colleges, after testimonies of sexual violence and abuse by school-age pupils and young people were published on the website Everyone’s Invited earlier this year. The 30-minute session will explore the two inspectorates approaches to inspecting safeguarding practices and their role in ensuring the safety of children in schools.

The Ofsted Chief Inspector, who was last month reappointed for a new two year term to the end of 2023, will then face further questions about her wider role, with MPs likely to ask about unregistered provision and Ofsted’s performance during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday 22 June, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will appear before the Committee. He will face questions right across his brief, with MPs likely to take the opportunity to ask about the Government’s catch-up programme, as well as other issues related to the Committee’s programme of inquiries.

The Secretary of State last appeared before the Committee in January

Witnesses

Tuesday 15 June

At 10am:

  • Amanda Spielman, HM Chief Inspector, Ofsted
  • Andrew Cook, lead on Ofsted’s Review of Safeguarding, and Ofsted’s Regional Director for the North West
  • Vanessa Ward, Chief Executive and Chief Inspector, Independent Schools Inspectorate

The second part of the session is a general Ofsted accountability hearing with: 

  • Amanda Spielman, HM Chief Inspector, Ofsted
  • Sean Harford, National Director of Education, Ofsted

Tuesday 22 June

At 10am:

  • Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, Secretary of State for Education

Further information

Image: Parliamentary copyright