Conference: Alternatives to Ofsted Oct 4th
‘Inappropriate’ to judge schools against two frameworks, Ofsted told
Ofsted’s new inspection proposals are vague and out of date, say experts
Inspectors criticise Ofsted’s ‘ridiculous’ training regime
Strong letter from Frank Coffield
Missed Ofsted inspection targets
Podcast of this website
We asked Google AI to produce a podcast and they did am amazing job. which can be listened here (with US accents)
or on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iqLQERZ4YgKBoKVizxte2?si=y9xT4ZhsTz6KZ8D-iz45vA
If you prefer to read the podcast the text is here.
transforming inspection for good transcript.docx
Some small errors crept in the the podcast and they are corrected in the text
Frank Norris speaking at the annual NGA conference
Important publication
Frank's latest publication is The Creative Art of Troublemaking in Education. It contains 17 of his articles, plus a first and last chapter where he brings the story up to date by critiquing the bungling of governments (of all political persuasions) in education.
Ofsted chief apologises for short notice on new inspections
Schools Week: ‘Delay new Ofsted inspections until September 2026’, demand unions
Guardian: Headteachers in England threaten to quit as Ofsted inspectors over proposed overhaul
Letter to the new Chair of Ofsted
Dear Christine Gilbert,
Congratulations on becoming the new Chair of Ofsted. Your appointment comes at a critical time for the organisation as it now has to produce its proposals for change in the autumn. Many professionals and academics (like ourselves) are hoping to see some radical reforms of its current practices and interim proposals.
With that aim in mind, we would like to bring to your attention an alternative way forward which there is still time to consider. We began with the concern that PISA has shown that educational standards (in reading, maths and science) in England have flatlined since it was launched, so Ofsted’s claim to have raised standards is not supported by the evidence. That key finding calls for an alternative approach and we have one to offer.
We propose an experiment in one large geographical area to run alongside whatever changes the government makes to Ofsted. Our model is based on the best national and international research into inspection which, for instance, has highlighted the success of peer-to-peer reviews, which are founded on mutual trust among partners, who offer tailored support and reciprocal challenge. Our proposal is also cost-neutral as it would be funded by the monies that Ofsted would have spent in the area.
We have developed a website which is gaining increasing support from practising teachers across the country and we are planning a conference in September to bring together all those who are calling loudly for nothing less than radical reform. We would be happy to explain our ideas to you in much greater detail and hope that you have the time to look at the website which can be found here: www.inspect4good.uk
Yours sincerely
Frank Coffield and Peter Tymms
FC: Emeritus Professor of Education, UCL Institute of Education, London University
PT: Emeritus Professor of Education at Durham University
Announcement of delay
Ofsted have said that the results of the consultation on inspections will not now be announced until September.
Supportive article from NATE (National Association of Teachers of English)
Letter from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Schools, Learning
and Assessment to His Majesty's Chief Inspector
Turning school inspections toxic: insights from an
inquiry into Ofsted in England
School Accountability: Start Again! Blog 39 from Education Politics
How many suicides are linked to Ofsted?
NAHT challenges Ofsted legally
White Lies: Racism, Education and Critical Race Theory
Here is an excerpt from David Gillborn's book: ...neither Black Caribbean nor Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children have ever enjoyed achievement on a par with their 'white British peers', and yet white students are at least ten times more likely to be singled out for discussion in the annual report produced by the head of Ofsted...(p 231, emphases as in the original.)
Excoriating letter re Ofsted's survey 22nd April 2025
Letter from Frank Coffield: Journal 3rd April 2025
Very Relevant Blog
See the section half of this Blog from the Socialist Education Association.
Curriculum and OFSTED Shake Up? - Education Politics
BBC Report 29/3/25
One school's experience 11/3/25
I am very interested in supporting your cause - Ofsted is a dreadful system and not helpful at all. It is also completely determined by the whim of the lead inspector and whatever agenda they have turned up with and their capacity to overrule what other inspectors have seen and really valued.
Our experience was appalling with huge sweeping statements made on one example from one child and no room for any kind of viable discussions. The report was fine (judged Good) but we literally came away deflated and without any real targets to aim for, unless getting one child to write 'because' right in two pieces of work in History (an actual example that was used to say we needed to work on assessment in foundation subjects!).
Message from a Head 3/3/25
Absolute agreement with your statements. Inspectors do NOT understand some schools and are not fit for the job as they have not the required experience to judge. We recently had 30% of the draft report removed as inaccurate but unchanged judgements due to Inspectors refusing to consider all evidence.
Contacting the politicians 29/2/25
Frank Coffield and Peter Tymms attended a Labour Party dinner on Friday 28 February where we seized the chance to inform the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Philippson, and our own MP, Mary Foy, of our campaign to Transform Inspection for Good. Our message appeared to be welcome, especially the suggestion that our alternative could save money. Mary Foy kindly invited us to write to her at the House of Commons to provide her with more information about our proposal and we have followed that up by sending her the links to our document and this website. We were also able to distribute our purpose-produced business cards to the other MPs who were present. Altogether a small step for two men but we hope a giant leap for our campaign.
New Blog on Ofsted - well worth reading
https://constantinides.net/2025/02/09/school-accountability-reform/
A new an alternative consultation just released
To have your say go to Thealternativebiglisten - Alternative Big Listen, Ofsted Inspectors, Ofsted's Stated Intentions
Comment from Ro Pengelly. 21/2/25
Ofsted's inspection framework comprises 8 areas, with a total of 330 standards to be judged according to 5 grading levels. But, exampling the Developing Teaching area, if just one of its 38 standards is thought to cause concern, the whole area is likely to be labelled at the lowest grade. This increases the stress and workloads of staff, frightens off new graduates from joining the profession, and accelerates the flight of senior management.