Commenting on the school inspection results data published today by Ofsted, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We’re delighted for schools that have done well in Ofsted inspections this term, particularly as this has been achieved in extremely challenging circumstances. Schools have been hit by wave after wave of pupil and teacher absence because of the impact of Covid, and it is unfathomable that Ofsted has ploughed on with routine inspections regardless. Those schools which have been downgraded may well feel very hard done by. Ofsted says that it takes into account the impact of Covid but as that impact varies to such a great extent this seems to us to be extremely difficult to do in a way that is fair.

“As such, we have repeatedly asked the inspectorate to agree to any request from schools and colleges to defer routine inspections to a later date while this disruption continues. While Ofsted has softened the criteria for deferrals, we do not think it has gone far enough and believe that it should show more empathy for schools and colleges at this difficult time.”