Student report: Ofsted’s Sir Martyn Oliver on changes to FE inspections

Ofsted’s Martyn Oliver reacted to colleges’ concerns over delays to changes to Ofsted inspections and reports for further education providers.

In September, Ofsted scrapped one-line judgments for primary and secondary schools, with a pledge to extend this to FE from September 2025, after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry prompted Ofsted bring about wide-scale changes in the way in which they inspect schools and colleges.

In the consultation, education providers told Ofsted that they believed there was a lack of substance in one-word judgements which didn’t allow providers to build on what they’re doing or attract more students.

Speaking at the Association of Colleges Annual Conference and Exhibition, the Chief Inspector explained that the vast range of colleges and their courses meant that it wasn’t possible to make the change in the sector at the same time.

Oliver said: “I understand that many of you may be puzzled or frustrated by the fact that we have removed the overall effectiveness grade for state schools inspected from this term onwards, but we have not removed it for colleges and further education providers - yet.

“We were able to make this change quickly and relatively easily in the state school sector, but it is more complicated in the other areas we inspect and regulate. Specifically, in FE and skills, the overall effectiveness judgement has consequences in terms of both funding and intervention, and it will take a little longer to unpick those links.”

He reassured colleges that Ofsted had heard the feedback on the single summary grade and promised that it would be replaced by a more nuanced inspection report card.

Barnaby Goodwin is studying UAL creative media production: Extended Diploma in journalism at Exeter College. He was reporting from the Association of Colleges Annual Conference and Exhibition.