ERIC Number: EJ1399945
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0963-8253
EISSN: N/A
Ofsted: The Case for Reform
Mortimore, Peter
FORUM: for promoting 3-19 comprehensive education, v65 n3 p22-34 2023
This article proposes reform of the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). It considers the purpose of inspection in English schools and describes the previous system of inspection based on Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools (HMI). The question of how effective Ofsted is -- in comparison to similar countries -- is then addressed. The creation of Ofsted is described and its strengths acknowledged before discussion of the frequent criticisms it has attracted. Whether or not the English education system actually needs rigorous inspection is considered and the conclusion reached is that inspection is desirable, but not the current Ofsted model. The remainder of the article outlines the principles that could underpin a more positive model of inspection and the most pressing issues for reform. It ends with the recognition that, since schooling will be subject to change in a modern technology-driven world, models of inspection also need to be flexible.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Inspection, Schools, Standards, Criticism, Organizations (Groups), Models, Educational Change
Lawrence Wishart. Central Books Building, Freshwater Road, Chadwell Heath, London RM8 1RX, UK. Tel: 44-20-8597-0090; e-mail: forum@lwbooks.co.uk; Web site: https://journals.lwbooks.co.uk/forum
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A