The schools watchdog is consulting on plans to give some schools subject to ‘short inspections’ more than two years to prepare for a follow-up visit. Ofsted said this gives schools time to “address any weaknesses and seek support from appropriate bodies.”

If the plans go ahead it would give schools that are at the potential risk of declining more time to improve using detailed feedback from a short inspection while keeping their ‘good’ rating. Ofsted currently carries out short inspections of schools which are rated 'good.' When inspectors are uncertain whether a school should retain its 'good' rating, or where it could improve to ‘outstanding’ the current one-day inspection is changed to a full inspection within 48 hours.  

However if there are safeguarding or behaviour concerns inspectors will call for an immediate interview. The same approach will be applied to schools that could improve to ‘outstanding.’ Inspectors will also consider requests for early inspections. Sean Harford, National Director of Education said “Under the new proposals, ‘good’ schools will get detailed feedback on their strengths and weaknesses, and they’ll have more time to improve following a short inspection. In this way, we hope to catch schools before they fall.”

The headteachers’ union, the NAHT, has criticised the proposals, claiming it will “in effect” create an “unofficial additional rating” which will “confuse parents and disrupt school leaders’ efforts to improve their schools”. “For the most part, parents, staff and governors understand the current four ratings,” said Nick Brook, the NAHT’s general secretary. “If, after a one-day visit, inspectors are not able to determine that a school is still ‘good’, they will now mark it out for reinspection.” He said the fact that schools would then potentially not be inspected for up to three years would mean “an unacceptably long delay." "A cloud of uncertainty will linger over the school until Ofsted can arrange a return,” he warned. But the Association of School and College Leaders has welcomed the approach. “It’s our view that there is a potential benefit in introducing an interval between the two inspections,” said ASCL inspections specialist Stephen Rollett. “It would give schools the opportunity to recover from the initial shock of conversion and prepare themselves for the full inspection.” A consultation will run until November 8. If approved, the changes will take effect next spring.  

More information on the proposals can be found here Short inspections of good schools: maintained schools and academies.