A school inspection update was issued in November. This is the first update since the new inspection framework was rolled out in September 2019. This update includes minor corrections. Below are the sections which will be of particular interest to governors with the changes highlighted in yellow..
Summary of changes made to the section 5 handbook
Paragraph 110
Said:
‘The role that governors and trustees play in the school’s performance is evaluated as part of the judgement on the effectiveness of leadership and management, and each report will contain a separate paragraph that addresses the governance of the school.’
Now says:
‘The role that governors and trustees play in the school’s performance is evaluated as part of the judgement on the effectiveness of leadership and management, and each report will contain, if appropriate, a separate paragraph that addresses the governance of the school.’
Paragraph 118
Said:
- for maintained schools, the chair of the school’s governing body and as many governors as possible
Now says:
- for maintained schools, the chair of the school’s governing body and as many governors as possible; the clerk of governors, or their delegate, may also attend to take
notes
Summary of changes made to the section 8 handbook
Paragraph 24
Said:
‘Normally, the final feedback meeting will be attended by:
- for maintained schools, the chair of the school’s governing body and as many governors as possible
Now says:
- for maintained schools, the chair of the school’s governing body and as many governors as possible; the clerk of governors, or their delegate, may also attend to
take notes
I had assumed that clerks can also attend the feedback meeting if the school being inspected is an academy or part of a multi-academy trust. I asked Ofsted to clarify and they’ve said that this indeed is the case.
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