FOIs into purged Ofsted inspectors

ATL put in two freedom of information (FOI) requests to Ofsted on 30 June about the purged inspectors to find out which schools were inspected by one of these failed inspectors and to find out how many inspectors failed Ofsted’s new assessment process – text below.

ATL’s two FOIs re Ofsted inspectors:

Schools Week recently reported that less than half of the inspectors had been successful in the new assessment process, which included online assessment and training. In the interests of transparency, would you please confirm how many inspectors applied to be assessed under the new process and how many were successful. 

In light of the impact on pupils and the outcomes for the schools which have been inspected by those inspectors who failed, please would you also provide the names of the schools which were inspected in the last two years by a team containing one or more of the inspectors who were unsuccessful in the assessment process.

Dr Mary Bousted, ATL general secretary, said:  “ATL has long argued that Ofsted inspections are inconsistent, of variable quality and totally lacking in quality assurance.  Many inspectors did not have any experience in the subjects or age groups they were inspecting, and Ofsted has now admitted that 1,200 were not up to the job. 

“This has been grossly unfair on teachers and heads, and on the children in schools inspected by these inspectors.

“Ofsted now needs to come clean and let everyone know which schools were inspected by inspectors it said were not good enough to judge schools reliably.

“In February ATL set out a proposed a new system of inspection that will help raise standards in schools and work with teachers: A New Vision for Inspection in Education.  We urge the Government to make our vision a reality for the sake of children in schools in England.”