Ofsted inspector, chairing academy trust, led inspections of schools less than five miles away

Ofsted is facing questions over whether it is policing possible conflicts of interest closely enough, after details emerged of an educationist having led inspections of academies less than five miles away from the headquarters of the academy trust which she chairs.

Nicola Walters has led half of a high-profile multi-academy trust’s most recent inspections – despite her own trust being based nearby and with the two organisations appearing to have at least indirect links.

The developments have provoked questions, from this website, for Ofsted in relation to its conflict of interest policy, which states that inspectors who are on school governing bodies should not inspect “linked providers”.

The detail

It is unusual to find an inspector having led multiple inspections within a multi-academy trust, especially if they are involved with another trust based nearby.

But this is the situation, in this case. Ms Walters led the inspection of City Academy, Birmingham, in March last year, and Arena Academy, also in Birmingham, last month. Both are part of the four-school Core Education Trust.