Mark Whitehead 12 June 2023

Ofsted announces shakeup after suicide

Ofsted announces shakeup after suicide  image
Image: Colin Burdett / Shutterstock.com.

The system for inspecting schools in England is facing a shakeup after the suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry led to calls for reform.

Ofsted will revisit schools graded inadequate over child welfare within three months and there will be an overhaul of its complaints system.

However, Prof Julia Waters, Mrs Perry's sister, said the move was a start but that far bigger changes were needed, and the National Association of Head Teachers' said the system was still fundamentally flawed.

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman defended the one-word ratings system that Ofsted uses and said it was down to the Government to make any changes to the way ratings work.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said the changes were 'a really important step'.

From September schools will also be given more detail of what exactly is expected in measures to keep children safe, which include keeping good records and training staff to deal with concerns

Ofsted said it was listening to concerns 'without losing our clear focus on the needs of children and their parents'.

Ms Spielman said one of the changes announced by Ofsted was to change the language of reports so that it wasn't over-focused on the head and senior leaders.

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Domestic Abuse (Perpetrator) Prevention Worker

Essex County Council
£30931 - £35362 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension
Domestic Abuse (Perpetrator) Prevention Worker - Multi Disciplinary TeamFixed Term, Full Time£30,931 to £35,362 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Data Analyst - 6 month FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £29508 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension
Data AnalystFixed Term, Full TimeUp to £29,508 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Transport Strategy Manager

North Northamptonshire Council
£55848 - £59442
We are looking for an experienced and talented professional to join North Northamptonshire Council Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Specialist Children and Family Worker - 12 month FTC

Essex County Council
£30931 - £35362 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension
Specialist Children and Family WorkerFixed Term, Full Time£30,931 to £35,362 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Director of Children’s Services

Bedford Borough Council
Up to £136,757 per annum (pay award pending)
Bedford Borough Council is looking for a dynamic and visionary Director of Children's Services Bedford, Bedfordshire
Recuriter: Bedford Borough Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.