By Mark Smulian | 30 September 2011
School inspectors will put more emphasis on reading standards from January 2012, Ofsted has announced.
The inspectorate’s new regime for primary and secondary schools, published today, will also introduce a more ‘proportionate’ approach to inspection.The reforms reflect the changes being implemented by the Education Bill currently going through Parliament.
Schools judged ‘outstanding’ would not be routinely inspected unless concerns arose about their performance, while those judged ‘good’ would receive five-yearly inspections. Those rated ‘satisfactory’ would be inspected every three years, with more routine monitoring visits of satisfactory schools that do not appear to be improving.
The inspections will concentrate on four main areas – pupil achievement, teaching quality, school leadership, and behaviour and safety standards.
As part of the focus on reading standards, inspectors will listen to primary school children reading and spend more time observing lessons of all kinds.
Ofsted chief inspector Miriam Rosen said: ‘It is increasingly important that we focus on the key aspects of schools’ work and make sure we use our resources where they have the most impact.’
She said inspectors would also ‘closely scrutinise’ behaviour and check how safe children feel in schools.
