Alliance calls for Ofsted inquiry to include the early years
By Rachel Lawler
The Alliance has called for the new inquiry into the education inspection system to be expended to include the early years.
The inquiry is being chaired by former schools minister Lord Jim Knight and aims to set out an alternative framework for an education inspection system that is “fit for the increasingly complex needs of schools”.
Currently, the inquiry makes no mention of education settings other than schools. It does not mention early years settings, which are also subject to Ofsted registration and inspection. Early years settings also currently receive the same single-word Ofsted judgments as schools.
The Alliance has called for the scope of the inquiry to be widened to include early years settings as well.
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Alliance, said: “Inspection should be about working collaboratively and supportively with education settings to ensure that children and young people receive the best possible quality of provision. However, we know that there are increasing concerns that under the current system, this is simply not the case and as such, it is absolutely right that questions are being asked about whether the existing inspection regime is fit for purpose.
“But the education system doesn’t begin and end with schools. Nurseries, pre-schools and childminding professionals are all required to register with, and be regularly inspected by, Ofsted, and we know that many share the same concerns as their school colleagues: that the current system – and in particular, the single-word grading approach – has created a culture of fear and stress within the sector that is simply not sustainable.
“It is incredibly disappointing, therefore, that the new inquiry currently focuses so narrowly on schools, with no mention of the early years. We urge those leading this review to meet with early years representatives, including the Alliance, with a view to urgently widening the scope of the inquiry. We’re clear that any reform of the inspection system must apply to the entirety of the education sector, and not just part of it.”