Education Committee to quiz witnesses on experiences with Ofsted
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.
Meeting details
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 workload and wellbeing 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.