Significant changes need to be made to Ofsted to ensure the body is able to deliver consistent inspections, according to one of the UK’s foremost educators.

Writing in TES, Sir Tim Brighouse argues that an inspection system based on self-evaluation is one way of transforming Ofsted beyond recognition.

He says that “growing disquiet about Ofsted’s reliability and independence” warrants a radical rethink of the way in which inspections are carried out.

“Doubts have been raised about the unreasonable variability in inspectors’ judgments of individual schools,” Sir Tim explains in his article for the education news provider.

“The way in which the organisation itself may be unduly influenced by government is also under scrutiny."

He has come up with three “redefinitions” that need to be made to revolutionise Ofsted: inspection, evidence and advice.

With regards to inspections, Sir Tim outlines, schools should be graded based on their own self-evaluation and attainment levels.

As for evidence, the body should concentrate on collecting “reliable evidence” that effectively assesses the state of education across the entire country.

"In effect, Ofsted's role would be the educational equivalent of the Office of Budget Responsibility," Sir Tim elaborated.

Finally, when it comes to advice, Ofsted should be responsible for delivering independent data directly to the education secretary. This information can then be used to develop better policy.

Last month Ofsted launched an eight-week consultation gauging what stakeholders think of its proposals to reform education inspection.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, head of Ofsted, said at the time that the reforms it has tabled will “bring about a radically different inspection regime designed to maintain and accelerate improved educational standards in England”.