Nearly half of ‘outstanding’ schools inspected this term have been downgraded by Ofsted

36% dropped to ‘good’ and 9% were labelled as requiring improvement
New figures show that nearly half of ‘outstanding’ schools – which were previously exempt from inspections – have been downgraded by Ofsted this term (Ben Birchall/PA)
PA Wire
Anna Davis @_annadavis13 December 2021

Almost half of previously “outstanding” schools were downgraded this term after inspection, new figures show.

It comes after the government lifted the exemption on inspecting outstanding schools – previously they were not inspected unless concerns were raised. This meant many schools had gone uninspected for more than a decade.

Monday’s figures from the schools watchdog show 47 per cent of schools that had been outstanding have dropped down the ratings.

This is the first time such data has been released.

Ofsted said it is not surprising that many have not retained the top grade because it is currently inspecting previously exempt schools that had gone the longest without an inspection – often for more than ten years.

The exemption for inspecting outstanding schools was brought in by Michael Gove when he was education secretary.

The latest figures show that 53 per cent of the 99 outstanding schools that were inspected this term retained the top grade. But two per cent dropped to the lowest possible grade and were branded “inadequate.”

Another 36 per cent dropped to “good” and 9 per cent were labelled as requiring improvement.

Ofsted inspections were suspended in March 2020 because of the pandemic and started again in September.

Despite the pressures of the pandemic, Ofsted said 83 per cent of schools inspected since the start of this term were rated “good” or “outstanding”.

During the previous comparable period the figure was 77 per cent.

Overall, Ofsted said the grades of schools have improved compared to the period prior to the pandemic, with schools previously judged as “requires improvement” or “inadequate” – the lowest ratings – doing particularly well this term.

A total of 72 per cent of schools that previously required improvement have jumped to be classed as “good” or “outstanding” since September.

Of those previously graded inadequate, 56 per cent have been given the top grades.

In total, 87 per cent of all schools in England were rated either “good” or “outstanding” at the end of November. Previously the figure was 86 per cent.

Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman said: “I am fully aware that schools are still facing very significant challenges as a result of the pandemic. So, I’m very pleased to report that schools are improving and being recognised for doing so. In fact, inspection results this term are very much in line with what we saw before the pandemic began, if not slightly improved. That will be a reassurance to parents and to schools as well.”

Ofsted has faced criticism for carrying out inspections during the pandemic.

The watchdog said a survey of headteachers whose schools were inspected this term found that 91 per cent thought their inspection will help them improve.

Ms Spielman added: “Our inspections are intended to be constructive and supportive, so I’m pleased that our survey results show they are valued by the vast majority of school leaders who have experienced one this term. But inspections are also incredibly important for children, who only get one chance at education and have already lost so much in the last 20 months.”

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