Select committee launches inquiry into Ofsted

The cross-party group of MPs is calling on organisations and professionals to submit their views on what the purpose of inspections should be, the impact of the inspection process on improvement and the performance of Ofsted in carrying out its work.

The consistency and quality of inspection teams in Ofsted and the weight given to different factors within the inspection process will also be considered.

Responding to the launch of the inquiry, an Ofsted spokesman said: "People tell us they value our work in driving improvement, empowering parents and service users, and keeping children safe. We have continually cut costs and provide good value for the taxpayer.

"A time of significant policy change provides a good opportunity to examine our activities, and we look forward to discussing our inspection and regulation work and hearing MPs' views."

The inquiry will look at whether inspection of all organisations, settings and services to support children’s learning and welfare is best conducted by a single inspectorate.

Eileen Munro is also examining Ofsted’s inspection criteria as part of her review into children’s social work.

The deadline for submissions will by 8 October.

Meanwhile, the select committee has also launched an inquiry into behaviour and discipline in schools.

This will look at how schools can support positive behaviour, ways of engaging parents in managing their children’s behaviour and the government’s proposals to increase teacher powers to search pupils and reduce the requirement of written notice of detention outside school hours.

MPs also want to focus on how special educational needs can be recognised in school policies on behaviour and discipline.

The deadline for submission will be 29 September.