Francesca Fraser, Researcher at Onward, wrote for Conservative Home about the return of Ofsted inspections for Outstanding schools, and why we should go further still by inspecting Multi-Academy Trusts. She writes:
“Crucially, this focus must not be limited to the schools that are already flagged as being underperforming – as the case of Ash Primary shows. By giving previously outstanding schools a free pass, we are putting pressure on those that are already having the hardest ride while allowing those that were deemed good enough over a decade ago to go unchecked, potentially at the expense of pupils’ progression.
It is not just the effect of the pandemic which necessitates better accountability for outstanding schools, especially given evidence that some are not always delivering on their responsibility to the wider community. Consider pupil intake: outstanding schools consistently take on the lowest levels of pupils on free school meals, and this is true even if you compare schools in similarly income deprived areas.”
You can read the full article here.
