SCORE Evidence to the Education Select Committee inquiry on the role and performance of Ofsted

The SCORE response highlights the importance of subject specific inspections as part of the role of Ofsted in providing an accountability mechanism. The response strongly recommends that:

• Ofsted continues as an inspection system which is able to hold schools and colleges to account. However it should shift its emphasis more towards improving teaching and learning in both the inspected schools and colleges and across the system as a whole, including initial teacher education (ITE). Effective Ofsted inspections of ITE are crucial to ensure (and enhance) the impact of a high quality workforce. 
• Ofsted increases the number of subject specific inspections to provide statistically useful data on the impact of policies, structures and initiatives in school departments.  
• The inspection process is drawn from a wide range of evidence, including subject specific inspections and should not focus exclusively on very narrow measures (such as 5 A*-C at GCSE).  
• Ofsted inspections provide a national, strategic view of the teaching and learning of schools and colleges. This is increasingly important in an environment where schools and colleges are experiencing a higher level of independence. For this reason, SCORE recommends all schools are subject to continued and regular inspection regardless of their previous performance ratings.