The watchdog's strategic plan, published last week, says inspection will"focus sharply on weaker provision and the needs of underachievinggroups and those in vulnerable circumstances". Further budget-cuttingplans are also outlined.
According to John Chowcat, general secretary of the Association ofProfessionals in Education and Children's Trusts, Ofsted's direction oftravel could threaten the rigour of inspection. "If you keep cuttingcosts and concentrating on weaker providers, this raises issues ofwhether you are taking too many resources away from other services," hesaid.
The plan says Ofsted will review its workforce strategy "to ensure theright balance between permanent employees and contracted inspectors".But using more contracted inspectors would raise major issues aboutquality, added Chowcat.
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