This week I report on the removal of deep dives from ungraded inspections from September and a DfE consultation on new national standards for unregistered Alternative Provision.

Changes to ungraded inspections
At last weekend’s NAHT conference Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, announced changes to ungraded inspections. The changes are designed to reduce the burden on school leaders and allow more time and flexibility for inspectors to get to know the school, including its context and priorities.

From September, inspectors will no longer conduct subject deep dives during ungraded inspections, which are designed to check on standards in schools that already carry a good or outstanding grade. Instead, school leaders will have the opportunity to discuss their school’s strengths and areas for development with inspectors.

The lead inspector’s initial phone call will focus on getting to know the school, its context, priorities and progress since the previous inspection. There will then be more space for school leaders to help shape the inspection plan and ensure it is focused on the right things.

The inspection framework will remain unchanged, but in place of the deep dives, inspectors will typically use extended learning walks to consider the impact of the curriculum and pupils’ personal development. Safeguarding arrangements, behaviour and attendance will continue to be evaluated in the same way.

DfE consults on national standards for unregistered Alternative Provision
Today the DfE launched a consultation that proposes measures for alternative provision providers to be subject to new, proportionate quality assurance frameworks, underpinned by national standards. It also sets out proposals to use unregistered alternative provision as an intervention, not a destination, to complement the education provided in school. The proposals build on the findings of the government’s previous call for evidence, which closed in 2022 and the consultation will close on 5 July.