There is an astonishing lack of academic research into what is working well and what needs to improve in the Ofsted inspection system of the Further Education and Skills (FES) sector. This study adds new evidence by exploring the impact of FES’s key external accountability lever provided by Ofsted inspections and its Education Inspection Framework (EIF) judging colleges and other providers’ performance.
Our research explores the views of tutors, lecturers, teachers, governors, middle managers, vice principals, deputy principals, and principals on Ofsted inspection in further education colleges. The research contributes new evidence about the impacts, strengths and weaknesses of Ofsted inspections and the EIF through a survey and interviews with stakeholders. We aim to highlight where improvements can be made and a better system can be built through recommendations for policy and practice.
National Education Union"This report provides welcome insight into the problems with inspection in the general further education and skill sector and the need for a developmental and supportive system rather than the current high stakes approach that is driving so many from the profession."
Ofsted has been under increased scrutiny over the last few years and has had increased pressure to review and change their practices due to criticism concerning their high stakes, high stress approach. Ofsted have recently undertaken the ‘Big Listen’ consultation to review their practices and act in the best interest of the sector. The government has also recently introduced changes to how Ofsted will operate in schools. We wait to hear what changes will be made in the FES sector so this research comes at a crucial time.
David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges"It's good to see this research into the impact of Ofsted inspections on the FE sector in England, and it is particularly timely given the work Ofsted is doing on the inspection framework. The research findings are, at headline level, unsurprising to us but it is very helpful to understand both the negative impacts of inspection like workload, wellbeing, and staff retention, as well as the positive aspects with inspections viewed as a stamp of approval and a confidence booster."
Much of the research and media attention in relation to inspections, and specifically Ofsted, focuses on schools, with a paucity of research on the FES sectors experiences of Ofsted. We thought it was important to do research in this area to better understand the unique experiences of college stakeholders around the impacts, strengths and weakness of the current inspection process.
Report by
Dr Bernie Munoz-Chereau, Michael Burgoyne, Katherine Emms, Dr Andrea Laczik
