Ofsted has said it will not renew contracts with CfBT Education Trust, Serco Education and Tribal Group for the inspection of schools and further education institutions when they expire in August 2015.
However, the future of the management of Ofsted’s early years inspections remains uncertain.
The inspectorate had been expected to announce plans to bring the inspection of early years settings back in-house, but Ofsted said the existing arrangements, which are due to expire in September 2015, will continue.
The inspectorate currently has contracts with four inspection providers for early years settings – CfBT Education Trust, Serco Education and Children’s Services, Tribal Group and Prospects Services.
Today's announcement means the inspectorate will regain control of school and further education inspections service in September 2015 – managing the selection and training of inspectors, as well as the quality assurance process.
Nick Jackson, director of corporate services at Ofsted, is confident the move will improve the inspection service.
He said: “For the last five years our inspection service providers have delivered a successful and professional inspection programme for Ofsted.
“With the conclusion of these contracts the time was right to look again at how Ofsted can best deliver a service that is both efficient and flexible.
“We are confident that this is the right model.”
June O’Sullivan, chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation, said she believes the early years inspection service will also be brought back in-house before the current contracts expire.
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