Ofsted inspections are to look at how well schools are using tutors to support education recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an update to its inspection handbook, the watchdog states that where schools are directly using tutors, inspectors will consider how their “deployment” supports the aim of the school curriculum.

The inspectorate says that the use of tutors will form part of the judgement it makes about the school’s quality of education and its leadership and management, but will not be inspected in its own right.

Exclusive: Schools could go longer between Ofsted inspections

Background: How Covid will change Ofsted inspections

Gavin Williamson: DfE looking at accelerating Ofsted inspections

The inspectorate has updated its school inspections handbook today with several other details of how it will respond to the Covid pandemic and other changes that are coming into effect.

Changes to Ofsted school inspections

These include:

1. Attendance patterns will be discussed

Inspectors will discuss attendance patterns with school leaders to understand how the pandemic specifically affected the school. They will want to understand how the school ensured the best possible attendance for those pupils eligible to attend in person.

However, Ofsted said that attendance between March 2020 and March 2021 will not impact on its judgement of a school.

2. There will be remote elements of inspection

Inspections will be carried out on site, and face-to-face meetings will remain Ofsted’s usual method.

However, the watchdog said it may be pragmatic to carry out some elements of the inspection through video or telephone calls.

This will be agreed with the headteacher at the start of the inspection. It will usually only be used to involve governors/trustees and others with leadership responsibility in inspection who are unable to attend the school site.

3. Teacher-assessed grades won’t affect Ofsted grading

As Tes has previously reported, Ofsted will not be using teacher-assessed grades from 2020 or 2021 as part of the judgement it makes about the impact of the school curriculum.

4. Inspectors to check school’s ‘typical approach’ to remote teaching

If schools are still delivering education remotely then inspectors “may observe remote teaching and review materials”.

However, Ofsted said it will only expect to see the school’s typical approach to remote education, and does not expect schools to arrange anything solely for inspection.

5. Changing safeguarding needs will be assessed

Inspectors will consider how school leaders ensured that vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), were prioritised for face-to-face education in school during the pandemic and how safeguarding procedures remained effective for those receiving remote education, as well as those attending school

Inspectors will discuss how safeguarding arrangements have changed over time due to the pandemic, and how school leaders have made sure that they remain effective.

6. The response to sexual harassment in schools

Ofsted has also, today, set out how it will respond to sexual harassment, online sexual abuse and sexual violence following the publication of its review of the matter.

7. Timetable for school inspections extended

Tes has previously revealed that the statutory timetable within which schools have to be inspected is set to be extended by two years following the disruption caused by Covid, which halted inspections for more than a year.

Today’s updated school inspection handbook and Ofsted’s handbook for section 8 inspections show the timetable for when schools can expect visits is being extended for their next inspections by six terms.

This is the case for “good” and “outstanding” schools, which would normally receive a section 8 inspection approximately every four years, and for schools rated as “requires improvement”, which would expect to be inspected after 30 months. 

Ofsted is also extending the timetable for schools that have been converted to academies. These would normally be inspected within three years but this is also being extended by six terms.