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Press release: Latest inspection outcome figures released

Ofsted today released official data showing outcomes for the first two terms of the new school inspection framework which was introduced in September last year. The new inspection regime reflects Ofsted’s continued drive to focus inspection where it is most needed, with earlier inspection and greater attention on weaker schools, and less frequent inspection of the best.

The revised arrangements emphasise the role of leadership, the progress and achievement of pupils and the quality of teaching and learning. In addition inspection places much more reliance on classroom observation to judge overall effectiveness. The new framework is raising both expectations and standards as intended.

The figures show that of 3,990 school inspections carried out from September to March 2010, the proportion of schools judged to be outstanding was 11%. This is a slight increase on the autumn term. Forty-two percent were judged good, 38% percent satisfactory with 5% given notice to improve and 4% judged as requiring special measures.

A good proportion of schools inspected have shown improvement since their last inspection. Over a quarter of schools (28%) have improved their grade, including 40% of schools previously graded satisfactory, that are now judged good or outstanding at this inspection. Nearly half (48%) of the schools inspected maintained the same grade as their previous inspection, while nearly a quarter (24%) went down.

Commenting on the figures released today, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, said:

'Greater involvement for senior staff in the inspection process and more inspection time in the classroom, means that the new framework is helping ensure schools are better able to understand their weaknesses and areas in need of development.

'It is particularly pleasing to see that 10% of schools considered to be serving areas of high deprivation have been graded outstanding in the last two terms, almost matching the overall national figure for schools.

Our analysis shows that the driving factor in determining a school’s effectiveness is pupils’ learning and progress, with a lesser link to attainment and exam results. In over a quarter of schools judged to be outstanding and half of the good schools, pupils’ attainment was not above the average for the country.

The reaction from schools experiencing the new inspection is positive. More than nine out of ten schools, who have responded to surveys following inspection, say they were satisfied with the way inspection was carried out. The vast majority believe the inspection judgements were fair and accurate and were satisfied with the clarity of the recommendations in their report.

Two head teachers of secondary schools in disadvantaged inner city areas, recently judged to be outstanding, commented on the new arrangements:

Anne Pontifex, headteacher of St John Bosco school, Croxteth, Merseyside, said:

'Everyone across the school community found the inspection process to be positive and affirming. The inspectors had a clear understanding of our context. The leadership team attended inspectors’ meetings at the end of each day, giving them a valuable awareness of how judgements were being reached.

'The new self evaluation form placed us in an excellent position to prepare for our inspection, giving both us and the Ofsted team a very clear picture of the college. The pre-inspection briefing was thorough and fair, allowing us to highlight many areas of outstanding practice, raise issues for discussion and jointly develop a meaningful inspection programme.'

The headteacher of Waverley school, Birmingham, Kamal Hanif said:

'The new Ofsted inspection framework allows inspectors to find out what is really going on in a school by asking the deep questions all schools should consider all the time. The new arrangements focus on outcomes for students and the final judgements reflect genuine progress and achievement as well as attainment.

'Our inspection was based on effective self evaluation and coherent pre inspection briefing. The inspection team was very rigorous but it worked in collaboration with the whole school, staff, students and governors alike, reducing stress and making the experience constructive. Our report is a useful summary of our strengths and weaknesses, helping us produce a clear working action plan for the future to underpin our continuing performance.'

Notes For Editors

1.The inspection outcomes data is available on the Ofsted website.

2.The new framework has brought many changes to the way inspections are carried out. Inspectors are spending much more time in class observing the quality of teaching and learning. Headteachers are often accompanying them; this helps their understanding of how judgements have been reached, and helps them put in place specific action plans on what they need to do to improve further. Ofsted has also increased its emphasis on the views of pupils and parents to ensure their voices are being heard in the inspection. The next step is to trial online arrangements for receiving these comments to make the process more efficient, accessible and easy to use.

3. The new framework, introduced in September 2009, is available online at www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090019.

4. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

6. Media can contact the Ofsted Press Office through 020 7421 5866 or via Ofsted's enquiry line 0300 1231231 between 8.30am - 6.30pm Monday - Friday. Out of these hours, during evenings and weekends, the duty press officer can be reached on 07919 057359.

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