Big changes are underway for school inspections, after Ofsted recently overhauled its grading framework. It’s still early days, but this transformation could lead to major shifts in how schools are managed.
Here at Future Education, our Secondary Manager Rosie Richfield, Primary Manager Martin Bateman and SEND Manager Jamie Robinson have delved into the key changes to Ofsted inspection grades and what they mean for schools and the potential impact on teaching jobs in the UK.
The key change in the Ofsted gradings for schools shake-up is the scrapping of the single-word overall grades – ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’. From 23 September 2024, a new type of ‘graded’ inspection under Section 5 of the Education Act is in effect. These graded inspections will cover four key judgment areas for schools:
1. Quality of education and academic performance
2. Student behaviour and attitudes
3. Personal development
3. The quality of a school’s leadership and management
Ungraded inspections are also part of Ofsted’s recent changes, under Section 8 of the Act and in effect from 7 October 2024. Ungraded inspections will focus on evaluating whether a school has maintained the standards identified in its previous inspection, without assigning individual graded judgements.
These inspections avoid 'deep dives' and instead concentrate on three or four specific areas, such as early English and maths in primary schools, alongside other aspects like leadership, quality of education, behaviour, attendance, personal development, staff well-being, inclusion, and safeguarding. Moving forward, Ofsted will coordinate with school leadership to determine which areas need special attention.
Assessment of school safeguarding standards and practices has also undergone a major shift. Safeguarding will now be judged as either ‘effective’ or ‘ineffective’ and inspected in the same manner as a graded inspection.
Ofsted can judge a school’s safeguarding as ‘effective’ if minor issues, like administrative errors or outdated policies, don’t pose a risk to children and can potentially be resolved during the inspection.
However, where there are serious or widespread failures, unmet statutory requirements, or a school hasn’t taken sufficient action following a serious incident, the school would be placed in a formal category of concern.
At Future Education, feedback we’ve received from educators working in South London teacher jobs reveals some apprehension. One concern is that schools may experience increased pressure to comply with the new regulations. The added strain to meet specific performance targets could create a more stressful environment for both students and teachers.
“One of the criticisms we’ve heard from educators is that there is an increased emphasis on data and metrics, which is likely to encourage more teaching to the test. In turn, broader aspects of student development may get neglected”, says Secondary Manager Rosie Richfield.
On the positive side, SEND Manager Jamie Robinson says, “shifting the focus towards support, development and equity in education can lead to significant positive outcomes for students”.
However, more clarity is needed. “If Ofsted provides clearer guidance and support for improvement, schools may become more effective in addressing their weaknesses, which could translate to better education results for children”, says Primary Manager Martin Bateman.
If the new Ofsted gradings for schools help encourage a more supportive education workplace culture, teachers would feel more valued and less scrutinised. That can lead to better job satisfaction and staff retention – factors that are a key challenge for many schools.
Ofsted says that staffing is a core factor in school ratings and improvement. With access to effective staffing support, schools will be better equipped to get back on track.
By sourcing experienced and skilled teachers who bring not just expertise but also passion for their subjects, schools can elevate teaching and academic standards, which are a crucial aspect of Ofsted evaluations.
We know from experience that when the right people are working in teaching jobs, it creates a ripple effect. Student engagement rises, classroom management gets easier, and overall learning outcomes improve significantly, making schools overall happier places to be!
Working with an education recruitment specialist who understands the critical areas Ofsted focuses on, such as safeguarding, leadership and curriculum delivery, can help your school overcome barriers it might have in improving in these areas.
We’re all familiar with those moments when Ofsted announces an inspection with just a couple days’ notice! Whilst this situation can be understandably stressful, having a trusted education recruitment partner by your side can help you reduce the hassle. Establishing a relationship with a recruiter comes in handy during those times when you need to fill a last-minute vacancy or just need some extra support during the inspection period.
There’s no way around it – to drive demonstrable improvements in your school, having experienced and adaptable educators is key.
We know plenty of teachers who thrive on the challenge of working in a lower-graded school, driven by a desire to make a real difference. Such teachers have strong experience in challenging environments and take pride in their ability to help turn things around for students – their resilience and creativity are inspiring!
On the other hand, highly-rated schools can be an attractive choice for teachers who aspire to work in high-performing environments. For teachers who are keen to refine their skills and grow their careers in an environment where standards are already high, the appeal of being part of a prestigious institution is undeniable!
Whether you’re part of a high-rated or lower-graded school, the key to success is finding teachers with skills and ambitions that will have the most impact on your classrooms. Engaging an education recruitment specialist who understands your requirements and has a deep network of qualified teachers will help your school meet its goals.
At Future Education, we have 23 years of experience enriching the South London school community with excellent educators. For support with hiring for South London teacher jobs or finding a position where you can make a difference, get in touch with the friendly team at Future Recruitment today!
