Dear Subscribers
Last week, I mentioned that Ofsted would respond to the coroner’s recommendations following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Ofsted’s response letter sets out actions taken before and immediately after the inquest and proposes a range of new measures. These include training inspectors to recognise and respond to signs of distress; a process whereby providers who have concerns about an inspection can speak to an unconnected Ofsted employee; and a new policy on pausing an inspection. The new Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, will also conduct a comprehensive exercise called the Big Listen – an opportunity for parents, leaders, and professionals the opportunity to share their views. If you would like to know more, I will be writing a summary of the report this month. Along with its response to the report, Ofsted has also updated its code of conduct for inspectors and made changes to the inspection handbook.
There is also a DfE response to the coroner’s report. The 7-page document focusses on two matters of concern which were raised in the original report. The first is that, within the current system, a school which is inadequate in all areas receives the same overall label as a school which is good in all areas, but with some safeguarding issues which can be repaired by the time the report is published. The second is that, at the inquest, an Ofsted witness was unable to state specifically how support for school leaders had been expanded. The DfE’s response documents highlights a wide range of measures which have been taken.
Within the last week, the DfE has announced further support for families which have children with SEND in the form of more short breaks, supported internship opportunities. and better support for those with Down Syndrome. You can read more here.
Moving on to the primary phase, ministers last week gave the green light to plans to expand Malmesbury Primary School in Wiltshire with the aid of a £6 million donation from the Dyson Foundation (Dyson is based in the town). The money will be used to fund “a first-class science, technology, engineering, art, and maths (STEAM) centre.” There has been controversy around the effect of the expansion on local primary schools at a time of falling rolls. You can read more here.
You will probably have heard in the media about the sharp rise in the number of cases of measles among children. The DfE has published guidance on its blog about what parents should do if they suspect that their child has measles. There is also guidance for education settings. The guidance can be found here.
Plans for the new GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) are proceeding. Ofqual will be implementing all the proposals put forward in its recent consultation. The new GCSE will not have foundation and higher tiers. Forty per cent of marks will be awarded based on an exam, and 60% will be non-exam assessed. Ofqual is aiming to approve syllabuses by September 2025.
I look forward to updating you again next week.
