Hearing feedback, accepting criticism and building a better Ofsted: the response to the Big Listen

Here is a summary of the key points raised to Ofsted about SEND.

• Ofsted is seen as not accountable for its actions, working against schools, not with them. Respondents criticised the current inspection system for being overly politicised, outdated, and ineffective in addressing the needs of children and learners with SEND.
• Survey respondents felt that Ofsted should recognise the challenges schools face which are often driven by Insufficient funding and the resources available for SEND provision which impacts their ability to meet pupils’ needs. There are further challenges for schools working with external services with long waiting times for specialist support and intervention.
• Some parents of children with SEND believe that Ofsted inspections do not focus enough on SEND provision, and therefore it is not sufficiently scrutinised. They would like Ofsted to address the issues of children with SEND being excluded or off-rolled and believe that schools that are failing learners with SEND should be rated as failing overall.
• Inspection reports should focus more on how schools support pupils with SEND. There should be a move away from focusing on test scores to prioritise well-being and mental health over academic achievements and to recognise and commend schools that are creating a supportive learning environment and measuring the progress of children with SEND based on their individual starting points rather than solely on their academic outcomes.
• Ofsted inspectors must have relevant experience and understanding of SEND provision.
• Children who responded to the children’s consultation said that how well pupils with SEND are supported at school should be one of Ofsted’s top 5 priorities on inspection.

Ofsted have committed to the following:

• Reduce the burden of inspection on providers.
• Reform the inspection framework to work effectively for SEND and Alternative Provision (AP)
• Make sure the new report cards give insight on SEND
• Strengthen AP inspections
• Improve training and practice for inspectors of SEND
• End illegal schools and keep children in unregistered settings safe and learning
• Review area SEND inspections to enable local areas to enhance the support they offer to children with SEND
• Call for regulation of independent schools (many are special schools) to be strengthened