The government has announced that routine Ofsted inspections are being temporarily suspended. This relates to; school, colleges, early year’s settings, children’s social care providers and local authorities. The purpose of this announcement is to help reduce the pressures on staff who are continuing to provide services in response to the outbreak.
Gavin Williams (Education Secretary) said;
“I recognise that teachers are doing everything they can to support the children in their care and help make sure that key workers can continue going to work. Teachers are on the frontline of our national effort.
“We are following the advice of our medical and scientific community every step of the way. The Chief Medical Officer has said the impact of closing schools on children’s education will be substantial, but the benefit to public health may not be.
“Given the pressures on our school leaders and their staff, it is only right that Ofsted temporarily suspends its routine inspection timetable. This will help schools to focus on their core functions at a difficult time.”
Any urgent inspections that are planned will proceed as normal if specific concerns have been raised.
References:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/routine-ofsted-inspections-suspended-in-response-to-coronavirus
