This week I report on the new Schools Minister, an Ofsted blog on how it inspects safeguarding in schools and an Ofqual consultation on allowing this year’s GCSE students provision of support materials (formulae and revised equation sheets) in the exams for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science.

Former Education Secretary Damian Hinds appointed as new Schools Minister
Following the departure of Nick Gibb, Damian Hinds has been officially appointed Minister of State at the DfE. He had previously served as Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice since the end of October last year. More notably, he served as the Education Secretary from January 2018 to July 2019 during Theresa May’s time as Prime Minister.

Ofsted publishes blog on how it inspects safeguarding in schools
The blog explains some of the main activities Ofsted will conduct when undertaking inspections of safeguarding and why. It includes details of what will happen before and during the inspection and how Ofsted will make a judgement about safeguarding. It also goes into detail about the single central record and the conversations that will be held with the DSL, pupils and staff members.

Consultation regarding additional support materials for GCSE exams in 2024
The DfE has confirmed that in view of the disruption students may have experienced, it’s not necessary for them to memorise formulae for GCSE mathematics and equations for GCSE physics and combined science in 2024, as they would in a normal year. Accordingly Ofqual opened a consultation on this yesterday and it will close on 30 November.