Today, (Mon 28 Jun) Ofsted has published an update to its inspection framework, intended for use from September 2021.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: "Adding additional areas for inspectors to look at next term into an already packed inspection framework is deeply unhelpful. Schools are still waiting for guidance from government on how the new tutoring arrangements will work and have still not received any funding for then autumn term, yet they’re already being told they’ll be judged on how they use it. 

"NAHT’s clear view is that routine Ofsted inspections should remain suspended next term. It is already abundantly clear that schools will not be back to ‘business as usual’ at the start of next term and inspections will only distract from the crucial work schools need to do as they look to implement the latest government guidance, particularly in those first few weeks.

"We note that routine inspections in Wales remain suspended next term and it’s very hard to understand why Ofsted thinks things should be different in England.”