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Ofsted today published the results of school inspections carried out during the autumn term and spring terms 2010/11.

The inspections were carried out under arrangements introduced in September 2009 that focus more on weaker schools, with less frequent inspection of the outstanding schools. Inspectors have placed more emphasis on observation of teaching and learning in the classroom and its impact on pupils’ progress to judge a school’s overall effectiveness.

Of 4,062 schools inspected between 1 September 2010 and 1 April 2011, 3,972 had had a previous inspection. Of these, 33% received a higher judgement for overall effectiveness than in their previous inspection, and 21% received a lower judgement.

Of the schools inspected, 10% were judged outstanding for overall effectiveness, 44% were judged good, 39% were judged satisfactory and 6% were judged inadequate.

As part of a proportionate approach to inspection, Ofsted prioritises the inspection of weaker schools. Since September 2010, Ofsted has deferred the inspection of outstanding schools unless there are specific reasons to inspect them, mostly where data indicated a decline.

This means the sample of schools inspected includes a greater proportion of those that were previously judged to be satisfactory or inadequate, or good schools where performance appeared to be at risk. As a result of this skewed sample, there is no straightforward comparison of the overall figures with those of previous terms and years.

Commenting on the figures released today, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, said:

“Ofsted’s current school inspection arrangements set out to be more challenging to schools, so it is encouraging to see 54% were judged good or outstanding. Greater involvement of headteachers and senior staff in the inspection process is helping schools better understand areas for development and action.

“Ofsted has just completed a major consultation on a new school inspection framework to further focus our attention on four priority areas: achievement; teaching and learning; leadership and management; and good behaviour and safety.

“We are currently reviewing responses to these proposals that will enable us to take an even closer look at the elements that impact most on improving standards. We expect inspectors will be spending even more time in class, with a renewed emphasis literacy, in particular reading skills and, above all, the quality of teaching and learning.”

Today Ofsted also published data on schools in categories of concern for the spring term 2011. These are schools that have been rated inadequate and have either been placed in Special Measures or given a Notice to Improve.

Overall, the proportion of schools inspected that have been placed in a category of concern between 1 January 2011 and 8 April 2011 is 5%. Compared to the same period a year ago, 7% of schools were placed into a category of concern.

In surveys of headteachers who have experienced inspection, 94% have said that it was fair and accurate, and that it will help their school to improve.

Notes for Editors

1.The inspection outcomes data is available on the Ofsted website at: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/20110005

2. Following the current consultation, Ofsted is testing the new inspection arrangements in pilot inspections, with a view to introducing the new system in January 2012, subject to the successful passage of the Education Bill.

3. The consultation proposals on the inspection of maintained schools and academies in England followed changes announced in the 2011 Education Bill and aim to re-focus school inspection on what matters most: achievement; teaching and learning; leadership and management, and behaviour and safety. The consultation brought together views on the detail of how Ofsted will implement these changes.

4. The consultation also sought views on when Ofsted should inspect. Outstanding schools will no longer be subject to routine inspections unless concerns about their performance are identified, and the consultation asked for views on the factors inspectors should consider when assessing whether an inspection is needed. In addition, it asked for views on plans to carry out more frequent inspections of weaker schools and on the circumstances in which schools may request an inspection.

5. In September 2009 Ofsted implemented a policy of more proportionate inspection and deliberately set out to inspect a greater proportion of previously satisfactory or inadequate schools and a smaller proportion of previously good or outstanding schools. This led to a skew in the sample of schools inspected and means that comparisons between years should be treated with caution as some differences are due to the different sample of schools inspected during the different periods.

6. In the autumn and spring terms 2010/11 Ofsted carried out 4,062 inspections of maintained schools between 1 September 2010 and 8 April 2011: 93 nursery schools, 2,989 primary schools, 651 secondary schools (including academies), 229 special schools and 100 pupil referral units.

7. Of the schools inspected between 1 September 2010 and 8 April 2011 which had previously been inspected by Ofsted, 2% were found to be outstanding at that previous inspection, 47% good, 45% satisfactory and 6% inadequate. This demonstrates the proportional inspection selection process and illustrates the policy of deferring the inspection of previously outstanding schools unless there was a cause for concern and the ‘skew’ in the sample compared with 09/10.

8. It is not appropriate to make direct comparisons across years as the schools inspected each year are different and some of the differences in the summary statistics are attributable to the schools selected for inspection. It is also important to note that these figures provide only an indication of what results will look like when all 2010/11 inspections have been completed.

9. Overall effectiveness of maintained schools inspected between 1 September 2010 and 8 April 2011 and academic years 2009/10 and 2008/09 (numbers and percentage)

10. The framework, introduced in September 2009, is available online at: www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090019

11. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

12. Media can contact the Ofsted Press Office through 020 7421 5866 or via Ofsted's enquiry line 0300 1231231 between 8.30am - 6.30pm Monday - Friday. Out of these hours, during evenings and weekends, the duty press officer can be reached on 07919 057359