Ofsted Proportionate Inspection (PIP) Consultation

Yesterday, Ofsted formally launched the consultation on its proportionate inspection plans.  Some of our schools have already been involved in the pilots working towards the testing of this proposal.  The proposals and consultation may be downloaded from http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/pipquestionnaire 

The CES is already in discussion with Directors at Ofsted and we have had positive feedback from higher achieving Catholic schools that have experienced the proportionate inspection arrangements, i.e. a very brief inspection relying heavily on the schools’ self evaluation.  The CES expects proportionate inspection to be uncontroversial amongst such schools.  The proposals, however, intend that other schools may have longer inspections or more monitoring between them. 

Ofsted does not think that ‘satisfactory’, i.e. grade 3 in a section 5 report, is good enough for the pupils involved.  They also express concern that some of the schools deteriorate between inspections and are in danger of falling into a category of concern when they are re-inspected after 3 years.  They therefore propose to identify schools that could benefit from a monitoring approach through short notice visits to explore with the school what progress is being made in the areas identified for improvement in the last inspection.  The letter arising from such a visit would be posted on Ofsted’s website.  The CES expects this additional monitoring of satisfactory schools to be a more contentious point. 

The CES is also concerned about the implications of PIP for S48 inspections, their organisation and their funding.  We will be discussing this with diocesan colleagues as the opportunity arises and more specifically, drafting a response to the consultation which will be sent to diocesan officers for their comment by 30 April 2006. Ofsted Proportionate Inspection (PIP) Consultation

Yesterday, Ofsted formally launched the consultation on its proportionate inspection plans.  Some of our schools have already been involved in the pilots working towards the testing of this proposal.  The proposals and consultation may be downloaded from http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/pipquestionnaire 

The CES is already in discussion with Directors at Ofsted and we have had positive feedback from higher achieving Catholic schools that have experienced the proportionate inspection arrangements, i.e. a very brief inspection relying heavily on the schools’ self evaluation.  The CES expects proportionate inspection to be uncontroversial amongst such schools.  The proposals, however, intend that other schools may have longer inspections or more monitoring between them. 

Ofsted does not think that ‘satisfactory’, i.e. grade 3 in a section 5 report, is good enough for the pupils involved.  They also express concern that some of the schools deteriorate between inspections and are in danger of falling into a category of concern when they are re-inspected after 3 years.  They therefore propose to identify schools that could benefit from a monitoring approach through short notice visits to explore with the school what progress is being made in the areas identified for improvement in the last inspection.  The letter arising from such a visit would be.  The CES expects this additional monitoring of satisfactory schools to be a more contentious point. 

The CES is also concerned about the implications of PIP for S48 inspections, their organisation and their funding.  We will be discussing this with diocesan colleagues as the opportunity arises and more specifically, drafting a response to the consultation which will be sent to diocesan officers for their response by 30 April 2006.  The CES will also welcome the comments of any Headteachers, teachers, governors and others involved in Catholic education.  Please email these to calger@cesew.org.uk by 12 April 2006.

Oona Stannard

Chief Executive and Director