MPs concerned at Ofsted regime

12 Jul 07
The new broader Ofsted inspection regime could be hindered by complex red tape, MPs have warned.

13 July 2007

The new broader Ofsted inspection regime could be hindered by complex red tape, MPs have warned.

In a report published on July 12, the Commons education and skills select committee warns that a lack of focus in the new lighter-touch school inspections could lead some schools to neglect non-core subjects to improve their grading.

The MPs welcomed the potential for Ofsted to take a more comprehensive view of issues affecting children, but insisted that the changes 'must still ensure that a rigorous inspection framework, able to easily identify under-performing schools, is maintained'.

They also stress the importance of identifying early previously good schools that might be coasting.

Committee chair Barry Sheerman said: 'We cannot disguise our concern as to the fitness for purpose of the organisation at the present moment', warning of the dangers of what he called this 'large bureaucracy'.

He added: 'It still appears that Ofsted has no capacity to give advice when a cluster of local schools suffer from systematic under-performance.'

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