Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Ofsted annual report 2008/9
The latest annual report from Ofsted was published on 24th November.
Reports from 40,000 inspections between August 2008 and September 2009 across all phases of education and work place settings in England were used to compile the report.
The report concludes there has been sustained improvement in both schools and colleges with an increase in the percentage of maintained schools inspected by Ofsted being judged as Outstanding from 11% in 2005/6 to 19% in 2008/9. Over the same time period the number of schools judged Inadequate fell from 8% to 4%. Of those schools inspected 69% were judged as good or outstanding.
The report highlights that although improvements were made in the overall number of schools judged as good or outstanding, a significant number of schools who had received less good inspection findings had not made progress on subsequent visits. "nearly half the schools that were satisfactory when previously inspected remain no better than satisfactory at their latest inspection." Those that had improved shared "stronger leadership and management."
The emphasis on leadership as the fundamental driver for progress and change in schools is a theme throughout the report both in identifying outstanding schools and most improved schools.
"excellence does not happen by chance. It is found in schools which have leaders of vision, courage and conviction; leaders who have the ability to inspire teams whose members work consistently for each other, as well as for the students and the communities they serve."
Ofsted has already announced plans to focus more inspection and visit time on those schools which are judged Satisfactory on more than one occasion.
The annual report also emphasises the role that aspiration, personalised learning and mentoring play in a successful school, whatever the age of the children.
"Creating a culture of high aspirations begins with an unwavering determination from leaders that all learners will succeed. In outstanding providers there is a strong focus on the needs, interests and concerns of each individual learner. Conversations about learning happen regularly, and mentoring plays an important part in engaging learners."
This next annual report will be the first to include the new Ofsted inspection guidelines which came into effect in September 2009 requiring a greater focus in inspection on time spent in classrooms observing teaching and learning
To read the report in full.