Ofsted has confirmed it will carry out on-site, “lighter-touch” inspections of colleges and learning providers in the summer term before returning to a full programme of inspections in September.
The decision followed extensive discussion with government and education leaders, the inspectorate said, and unlike “full” inspections, this summer’s visits will allow inspectors to assess how well further education providers are educating their learners and keeping them safe.
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These visits will not result in a grade, but where the evidence strongly suggests that an institution’s current grade is no longer a fair reflection of its work, inspectors will be able to convert to a full, graded inspection either immediately or later in the term.
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Ofsted said it was piloting some limited changes to inspection methods to take account of the challenges raised by Covid-19 and an updated set of inspection handbooks, with full details of these changes to be published after the Easter break.
Chief inspector Amanda Spielman said: “We are committed to returning to carrying out face-to-face inspections of FE providers this summer. Our inspections have an important role to play: they look at the progress made in establishing high-quality new provision, the quality of education and training provided to learners, and provide information to learners, employers, parents and the government. Our feedback and reporting helps providers to improve by identifying strengths and weaknesses in provision.”
Association of Employment and Learning Providers chief executive Jane Hickie said: “The announcement that new provider monitoring visits will continue throughout the summer term is very sensible because that is ultimately where most risk is, as these providers have been able to deliver without oversight. The May changes to provide more oversight of existing grade 3 and 4 providers are also prudent.”
David Corke, the Association of Colleges’ director of policy, said: “It is good to see that Ofsted are taking a sensible and proportionate approach. The context in which colleges are working is constantly changing - it will take serious testing and piloting from Ofsted to make sure that the framework remains applicable in September. We look forward to working with Ofsted and colleges to make it work.”
James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, said: “Colleges will welcome the clarity that Ofsted has provided on inspection activity during the summer term. It makes sense to use this time to develop and refine the approach to inspection that will be taken in September, informed by the experiences of colleges and students during Covid.”
