Press Releases

NUT PRESSURE FORCES OFSTED ASSURANCES

The NUT has been successful in gaining assurances from Ofsted on the new framework, particularly on the key issues of safeguarding and attainment and achievement.

On safeguarding, Christine Gilbert has confirmed that “…a school judged to be satisfactory in its safeguarding arrangements may still be judged to be outstanding…”. Ofsted are clear that schools that meet the statutory requirements for safeguarding cannot be downgraded to 'inadequate’.

On attainment, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert has said: “…all schools, whatever their circumstances, have the opportunity to be judged outstanding for their overall effectiveness…There is nothing in the evaluation schedule or the guidance we have issued to inspectors which suggests otherwise.” Contact your division/association or regional office if inspectors are not taking sufficient account of children’s actual progress in their learning.

Keeping the pressure up on Ofsted

 The NUT want a school evaluation system that supports schools, rather than punishing them. If your Ofsted inspection paints a picture of your school that you don’t recognise, we want to know. Please contact your NUT association/divisional secretary or your regional office. Keep sending your inspection stories to us at inspections@nut.org.uk too. If it seems that Ofsted inspectors aren’t taking account of Christine Gilbert’s latest guidance, the NUT will take further action.