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.