Ofsted has confirmed routine inspections under its new ‘report card’ framework will be beginning at state schools on December 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Routine inspections have been paused this term while Ofsted launches its reformed inspection framework, meaning none have taken place since July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ofsted’s new framework was launched last Monday (November 10), but has initially been rolled out to schools that have volunteered for inspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The watchdog previously said<\/a> routine inspections at state schools “will be introduced on or after December 1, depending on the number of schools that volunteer”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It today confirmed it will be returning to routine inspections on December 1, meaning schools could get the call in as little as 11 days’ time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There will then be a pause on routine inspections during the week before Christmas – the week commencing December 15 – to allow for inspector training, before inspections resume in the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the reformed inspection system, schools are judged using a five-grade system across a minimum of six inspection areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaders have warned the plans will make the system more complicated and burdensome for schools, not less. A wellbeing impact report commissioned<\/a> by the watchdog warned the new report cards<\/a> will create more anxiety for leaders with already \u201cconcerningly high\u201d stress levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n