Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to change the current system of Ofsted school inspections to make it less adversarial.

Ofsted inspections are designed to provide parents, schools, government and the wider public with independent, rounded assessments of the quality of education being provided to pupils, and their safeguarding. Inspectors are expected to uphold the highest professional standards in their work and to treat everyone they meet during inspections fairly, with respect and sensitivity. Inspectors work constructively with school leaders to understand the context of the school and involve leaders throughout.

The current model of inspection was introduced in September 2019, following extensive consultation. There are no plans to change the approach to inspection currently, but Ofsted regularly reviews its inspection handbook to take into consideration the changing circumstances in which schools operate. For example, Ofsted has updated its school inspection handbook to recognise that schools are operating in challenging circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.