NAHT analysis shows Ofsted downgrades more inclusive schools
NAHT’s analysis of 650 ofsted inspections found schools with above-average free school meals eligibility were more likely to be downgraded on achievement, attendance and behaviour. The union said the pattern raises questions about Ofsted’s new framework, which launched in December and uses national-average comparisons in those judgments.
One-third of schools with above-average pupil eligibility for free school meals received a needs attention judgment for achievement, while less than one-fifth of schools with below-average eligibility did. Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said the findings should ring serious alarm bells and called the national-average requirement for schools an impossible demand.
Ofsted framework in December
Ofsted’s revised framework sets the expected standard for attendance and behaviour against overall attendance that is broadly in line with national averages or shows an improving trend over time. For achievement, the expected standard requires pupils’ attainment and progress in national tests and exams to be broadly in line with national averages.
Across all schools in the NAHT sample, achievement drew the highest share of needs attention grades, at 25 per cent, and urgent improvement grades, at 3 per cent. Curriculum and teaching followed with 19 per cent needs attention and 2 per cent urgent improvement.
Free School Meals and SEND
The pattern extended beyond free school meals eligibility. Twenty-three per cent of schools with above-average free school meals eligibility received needs attention for attendance and behaviour, compared with 10 per cent of schools with below-average eligibility.
Schools with above-average numbers of pupils with SEND also drew weaker attendance and behaviour results. NAHT said 20 per cent of those schools were graded needs attention for attendance and behaviour, against 9 per cent of schools with below-average numbers of pupils with SEND.
Whiteman said, “While it may not have been Ofsted’s intention, the expectation that results meet crude statistical averages means that schools serving the most deprived communities face an uphill battle.” His warning lands against a framework that school leaders have already criticised for using national averages as a benchmark for schools serving disadvantaged communities.
Next Ofsted data
Ofsted declined to comment. The inspectorate is due to publish official data next month on inspections carried out since the revised framework was launched, which will show whether the pattern seen in the NAHT sample appears across a wider set of inspections.
