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Ofsted methods criticised by thinktank

Posted on 17th November 2008

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The way in which Ofsted inspects schools has been criticised in a new publication by thinktank Civitas.

It claims that the watchdog has become too reliant on exam results and a "tick-box" approach to inspections.

An Ofsted inspector, Sarah Drake, contributed - past tense to the report, noting that the regulator may be using old information to compile its conclusions – which parents often use when deciding on an independent school for their children.

"Delays in getting validated statistical data about Sats, GCSE and other test results mean that what we are using can be up to 16 to 18 months out of date," Ms Drake stated.

Meanwhile, a survey of around 4,000 people in England and Wales has revealed that 45 per cent of parents of pupils in independent schools believe their children should be pushed.

This compares to 21 per cent of state school children's parents, the poll from the Department of Children, Schools and Families showed.