Industry News
Independent schools object to Ofsted plan
Posted on 15th January 2008
Any attempt to put Ofsted in charge of the registration and regulation of independent schools would result in "confusion and uncertainty", it was claimed yesterday.
The secretary of state is at present responsible for the regulation of private schools, which are permitted to run a separate inspection system to the one operated in the state sector.
However, a clause in the education and skills bill currently on its way through parliament could see the responsibility transferred to Ofsted.
Jonathan Shephard, the outgoing chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, told the Guardian the move was an unnecessary change that could lead to problems in a system that works well.
"It would be an act of folly to put the future of the most successful part of UK education under the red tape of Ofsted," he added.
Mr Shephard's stance is similar to that of Dr Anthony Seldon, master of Wellington College, who recently suggested the government should "put their own house in order" before interfering in the running of the independent sector.