As might be expected, Ofsted does have different inspection frameworks for schools and for colleges which recognise the distinctive purpose of these different types of organisation. However, there is no question of sixth-form colleges being judged more harshly than schools or colleges.

As your article suggests (December 3), inspectors collect and evaluate a wide range of evidence when inspecting a school sixth-form. This includes learners’ attainment and progress data.

In addition, inspectors take significant account of other factors such as the standards of observed teaching, learners’ views, leadership and management and the sixth-form’s capacity to improve. The same consistent approach is applied when a college is inspected.

Lorna Fitzjohn, Divisional manager, learning and skills

Patrick Leeson, Director, education and care Ofsted.