By David Williams
24 November 2009
Ofsted has defended itself following a barrage of attacks from councils, civil servants and MPs, claiming its inspection regime represents the best interests of children.
Launching the education watchdog’s annual report this morning, chief inspector Christine Gilbert hit back at critics who had questioned its methods.
‘Weak regulation serves no-one’s real interest – not even vested interests,’ she said. ‘Ofsted must not pull its punches – our job is to speak up for children and learners and I make no apology for that.
‘There can be no hiding place for poor practice. My job is not to defend vested interests but to protect children’s interests.’
This week Ofsted has been slated by the Local Government Association, which accused it of becoming overly concerned with child safety, feeding parents’ fears and leading other authorities to become more risk-averse.
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services said Ofsted’s current inspection regime was ‘not fit for purpose.’
Barry Sheerman, chair of the Commons’ children, schools and families select committee, joined the chorus, saying inspection results often did not reflect the progress made by schools in deprived areas.
The regulator’s annual report, covering the 2008/09 academic year, showed an increase in the numbers of schools graded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, with 69% now occupying the two highest ratings. That figure was up from 64% the year before.
There was also a rise in the proportion of childcare services rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ – the figure now stands at 65%, up from 56% a year ago.
However, Gilbert identified a ‘stubborn core of inadequate teaching and teaching that is only satisfactory’, that is consistently failing to improve.
Around a third of schools and colleges were rated as providing no better than ‘satisfactory’ teaching in 2008/09.
See Conor Ryan's blog
24 November 2009
Ofsted has defended itself following a barrage of attacks from councils, civil servants and MPs, claiming its inspection regime represents the best interests of children.
Launching the education watchdog’s annual report this morning, chief inspector Christine Gilbert hit back at critics who had questioned its methods.
‘Weak regulation serves no-one’s real interest – not even vested interests,’ she said. ‘Ofsted must not pull its punches – our job is to speak up for children and learners and I make no apology for that.
‘There can be no hiding place for poor practice. My job is not to defend vested interests but to protect children’s interests.’
This week Ofsted has been slated by the Local Government Association, which accused it of becoming overly concerned with child safety, feeding parents’ fears and leading other authorities to become more risk-averse.
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services said Ofsted’s current inspection regime was ‘not fit for purpose.’
Barry Sheerman, chair of the Commons’ children, schools and families select committee, joined the chorus, saying inspection results often did not reflect the progress made by schools in deprived areas.
The regulator’s annual report, covering the 2008/09 academic year, showed an increase in the numbers of schools graded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, with 69% now occupying the two highest ratings. That figure was up from 64% the year before.
There was also a rise in the proportion of childcare services rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ – the figure now stands at 65%, up from 56% a year ago.
However, Gilbert identified a ‘stubborn core of inadequate teaching and teaching that is only satisfactory’, that is consistently failing to improve.
Around a third of schools and colleges were rated as providing no better than ‘satisfactory’ teaching in 2008/09.
See Conor Ryan's blog
