Performance of West Sussex Schools - September 2019
The proportion of schools that are graded good or better remains in the third quartile. The change in how some inspections were scheduled since January 2018 has seen a significant increase in the number of inspections. The new School Effectiveness Strategy has enhanced the robustness of preparing school leadership to withstand external scrutiny. This includes strengthening those schools that are only just good. The increase in performance at KS2 will also strengthen the case for good.
The total for West Sussex schools that are judged good or outstanding has remained at 86.0%. This figure is slightly higher than the figures shown in the 2017/18 academic year.  For September, the percentage for each school phase is as follows:
Primary Schools = 85.6%; Secondary Schools = 87.2%; Special Schools = 90.9%
For any comparative purposes, from the Ofsted Annual Report released in December 2018, the overall effectiveness of state-funded schools at their most recent inspection, 31 August 2019, nationally was 86%.
The new Education Inspection Framework (EIF) has started to be implemented in September. Schools have been invited to participate in CPD sessions outlining the changes and how to prepare for the new inspection regime.
Performance of West Sussex Schools - July 2019
The proportion of schools that are graded good or better remains in the third quartile. The change in how some inspections were scheduled since January 2018 has seen a significant increase in the number of inspections. The new School Effectiveness Strategy has enhanced the robustness of preparing school leadership to withstand external scrutiny. This includes strengthening those schools that are only just good. The increase in performance at KS2 will also strengthen the case for good.
The total for West Sussex schools that are judged good or outstanding has remained at 85.6%. This figure is slightly higher than the figures shown in the 2017/18 academic year.  For July, the percentage for each school phase is as follows:
Primary Schools = 85.1%; Secondary Schools = 87.1%; Special Schools = 90.9%
For any comparative purposes, from the Ofsted Annual Report released in December 2018, the overall effectiveness of state-funded schools at their most recent inspection, 31 August 2018, nationally was 86%.
Performance of West Sussex Schools - May 2019 
The proportion of schools that are graded good or better remains in the third quartile. The change in how some inspections were scheduled since January 2018 has seen a significant increase in the number of inspections. The new School Effectiveness Strategy has enhanced the robustness of preparing school leadership to withstand external scrutiny. This includes strengthening those schools that are only just good. The increase in performance at KS2 will also strengthen the case for good.
The total for West Sussex schools that are judged good or outstanding has increased to 85.2%. This figure is slightly higher than the figures shown in the 2017/18 academic year.  For May, the percentage for each school phase is as follows:
Primary Schools = 84.6%; Secondary Schools = 87.2%; Special Schools = 90.9%
For any comparative purposes, from the Ofsted Annual Report released in December 2018, the overall effectiveness of state-funded schools at their most recent inspection, 31 August 2018, nationally was 86%.

Background

Understanding Ofsted reports

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) is a government department that inspects and regulates educational institutions. All schools are inspected as part of a cycle of inspection with inadequate and RI (Requires Improvement) schools being inspected within two years and good schools every three years. Outstanding schools are not routinely inspected.

After the inspection, Ofsted publishes a public report that contains information on the school’s performance. Inspectors make key judgements on the following areas:

  • overall effectiveness
  • effectiveness of leadership and management
  • quality of teaching, learning and assessment
  • personal development, behaviour and welfare
  • outcomes for pupils.

Judgements are made using a four-point scale:

  • grade 1 - Outstanding
  • grade 2 - Good
  • grade 3 - Requires Improvement
  • grade 4 - Inadequate

In judging overall effectiveness, inspectors will take account of the four key judgements. Inspectors should first make the key judgements on:

  • the quality of teaching, learning and assessment
  • personal development, behaviour and welfare
  • outcomes for pupils

The Local Authority is committed to ensuring that all pupils in the county attend a school judged to be at least good or outstanding. The Directorate of Education and Skills works in partnership with all schools and stakeholders to ensure this is achieved. It continues to target under performing schools by providing challenge and support to secure rapid and sustainable improvements and raise standards.