Ofsted: cut-off date, determining whether or not previously outstanding schools get full inspections, is “not arbitrary”

Ofsted has stated that a cut-off date which determines whether previously outstanding schools are to be subject to full, rather than shorter, inspections - with seemingly very large implications for their chances of success - is not “arbitrary”.

Education Uncovered revealed yesterday that there are huge differences in the success rates of previously outstanding-rated schools in inspections this term, when analysed by the date of their previous inspection.

Fewer than a quarter of those previously inspected before the 2015-16 academic year have retained their outstanding status following visits this term, while, for those last inspected after September 2015 but also subject to a return visit this term, some 97 per cent remain outstanding.

The differences in success rates appear to be explained by the fact that the pre- 2015-16 group have been subject to full “section 5” inspections, which have seen a broad spread of overall inspection ratings given, while those with previous inspections dating from September 2015 have only shorter inspections, which in almost every case see the previous rating confirmed.

In my piece yesterday, I wrote that what seemed an “arbitrary cut-off date” appeared to be having a huge effect on schools’ chances of success.