Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has been made of the effect on school standards of removing independent, national assessments by OFSTED of school standards and safeguarding on (a) provision (b) primary schools (c) secondary schools and (d) further education provision.

Ofsted is the only body able to provide an independent, rounded judgement of schools, further education provision, and early years settings. This role has helped to raise standards in our schools with 87% of primary schools and 75% of secondary schools rated good or outstanding, compared to 67% and 64% respectively in 2010. Currently, 82% further education and skills providers are judged good or outstanding, compared to 64% in 2012. Currently, 95% of early years providers are rated good or outstanding, compared to 74% in 2012.

Ofsted also plays an important role in safeguarding for early years, schools and further education provision. As part of the overall effectiveness judgement, inspectors will always make a written judgement about the effectiveness of the arrangements for safeguarding children and pupils.