Welcome to the first new-look issue of Ofsted News

At the end of September, Ofsted published details about the new school inspection framework. This month, we have also launched the new Parent View website, where parents can complete a survey about schools. The questions have been carefully chosen to cover those issues that parents have told us are the most important to them.

In this edition, you can read children's views about the inspection of welfare in residential and boarding schools and find out about our new arrangements for inspecting these schools. We also take a look at best practice in safeguarding children in schools.

News

The shape of school inspection from 2012 - With a sharper focus on the judgements that matter most; even more time spent in the classroom, and a continued drive on raising standards, especially in reading, Ofsted has published details of how the inspection of maintained schools will change from January 2012.

A new voice for parents - Ofsted has launched Parent View, a new online questionnaire that will allow parents and carers to give their views on their child’s school at any time of the year. We hope it will help other parents as they make important choices about their child's education and provide Ofsted with the information to support decisions about inspection.

Children’s Book Week - We looked back at two Ofsted reports: Reading by six: how the best schools do it and Excellence in English to mark Children’s Book Week, between 3 and 9 October. The Week is a national celebration of reading for children of primary school age.

No-notice inspections for welfare provision at boarding and residential special schools as Ofsted introduces a new inspection model - Boarding and residential special schools are to have unannounced, no-notice inspections when welfare is inspected separately from education.

All schools can provide a safer environment for children - There is no reason why good practice in safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare should not be a feature of every school, according to an Ofsted report published in September.

Federated schools see improved outcomes - In a survey of federations where schools have joined together to raise standards, improvements have been seen in the three key areas of teaching and learning, behaviour and pupils’ achievement, according to a report launched by Ofsted in September.

European Day of Languages - We highlighted the findings of our report, Modern languages – Achievement and challenge 2007-10, for the European Day of Languages on 26 September. The Day aims to show how important languages are and how enjoyable and useful learning a language can be.

Children audit Ofsted's inspection of social care - Children living in residential special schools and boarding schools have given their views about Ofsted inspection in the report Social care inspection: the children’s audit.

Ofsted's letter to the Independent - Ofsted wrote to the Independent to clarify that we will inspect Free Schools.

News

Ofsted reports on the protection of vulnerable babies and young people - Last week Ofsted published two reports which highlight the vulnerability of teenagers and babies in the child protection system.

Improving child protection by shining the light on good practice: how a number of Local Safeguarding Children Boards are showing the way - This report, published by Ofsted in September, provides practical examples and detailed case studies of how Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) have helped to improve child protection.

Councils should adopt a more collaborative approach to commissioning services for young people - A report published by Ofsted in August, has found that local authorities are not always considering the voluntary and community sector, charities, or other arms of the public sector, when commissioning services for young people.

Children audit Ofsted's inspection of social care - Children living in residential special schools and boarding schools have given their views about Ofsted inspection in the report Social care inspection: the children’s audit.

News

Raising expectations for teacher training - Ofsted is carrying out a consultation on proposals to revise arrangements for the inspection of initial teacher education (ITE), which will be introduced from September 2012. We want to help ensure that more trainees are better prepared with the practical skills that teachers need most, such as the ability to manage behaviour and teach reading effectively.

Improving science in colleges - sharing ideas and examples of good practice - An Ofsted report, published on 14 October, identifies the factors which have helped colleges improve the quality of their science provision, or maintain high standards.

Revised inspection framework for residential provision in FE colleges - Ofsted consultation - In early October Ofsted launched a consultation on proposals to revise and streamline arrangements for the inspection of residential provision in further education colleges for students under the age of eighteen.

Welfare and duty of care in Armed Forces initial training - Ofsted presented its third annual report on the effectiveness of welfare and duty of care for recruits and trainees in Armed Forces initial training. 

Ofsted proposes changes to inspection of further education and skills to improve learners' employability - Ofsted launches a consultation on proposals to revise the inspection of further education (FE) colleges, work-based learning providers, adult and community learning (ACL) provision and ‘Next Step’ provision.

Progression beyond school is variable for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities - Too few young people with learning difficulties and disabilities progress from school to complete programmes that will help them live independently, undertake further study, or gain employment, says an Ofsted report published in August.
 

Features

Ofsted and the Armed Forces - Alongside our report on the welfare and duty of care for recruits and trainees in Armed Forces initial training, we talk to Commander Price about how the Royal Navy trains 3,500 apprentices a year.

Raising expectations for teacher training - Ofsted is carrying out a consultation on proposals to revise arrangements for the inspection of initial teacher education (ITE), which will be introduced from September 2012. We want to help ensure that more trainees are better prepared with the practical skills that teachers need most, such as the ability to manage behaviour and teach reading effectively.

News

Ofsted statistics show a rise in the number of childminders - After a long period of decline, the number of childcare providers in England has now risen steadily since September last year. Prior to this numbers had fallen each quarter since the end of 2008.

Children’s Book Week - We looked back at two Ofsted reports: Reading by six: how the best schools do it and Excellence in English to mark Children’s Book Week, between 3 and 9 October. The Week is a national celebration of reading for children of primary school age.

Ten years for early years - September marked 10 years since Ofsted took over the responsibility for regulating and inspecting all registered early years childminding and childcare settings in 2001.