Uncertainty brought about by forced academy takeovers criticised in schools’ Ofsted reports

Ofsted inspectors have been highlighting the uncertainty arising from schools going years without being able to implement a government requirement that they become an academy, Education Uncovered can disclose.

In what seems another blow to the Department for Education’s policy of forcing all schools which have failed Ofsteds to leave the auspices of their local authorities, reports by returning inspectors have been critical of schools being left in limbo under the policy.

Ironically, of course, it is Ofsted inspection reports themselves, some of which are fiercely contested by schools, which now trigger compulsory academisation when a school is rated “inadequate”. This has not stopped individual inspectors, however, raising concerns about the academisation process when they return after the initial report to investigate progress.

The detail

Education Uncovered looked specifically at inspection reports published about schools which had had an academy order placed on them having failed a previous inspection, but which then went on to have those orders revoked.