Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will (a) suspend Ofsted inspections in schools which are experiencing staffing or pupil shortages as a result of covid-19 and (b) ask Ofsted to engage instead in a supportive visit to those schools.

Ministers engage regularly with Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, on a range of matters, including inspection arrangements in the changing context of the COVID-19 outbreak.

There are no plans to suspend Ofsted inspections at this time. Ofsted inspection continues to play an important role in providing independent assurance as providers respond to COVID-19. However, it is right that these arrangements are kept under review, and adjustments made where appropriate.

Schools are having to do the best for their pupils in challenging and unpredictable situations caused by COVID-19. It is right that inspectors recognise this in their assessments. Ofsted has updated its inspection handbooks and adjusted its inspection approach to take account of the challenges raised by COVID-19. From the start of this calendar year to 31 January 2022, Ofsted temporarily halted use of part time inspectors who are also frontline leaders so they could focus on their leadership responsibilities. Ofsted is now inviting those who can inspect again to do so, but as has always been the case, it will be for frontline leaders to decide whether to offer their services to Ofsted. Additionally, schools facing acute disruption, including due to significant staff absence, can request a deferral of the inspection. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, has confirmed that all requests will be considered carefully and sensitively by Ofsted.

The deployment of Ofsted inspectors and its engagement with other agencies, including local authorities, is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to you directly about these issues and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.