The watchdog gathers ‘insights’ from councils and checks whether schools are ‘anomalies’ in their local areas, a top inspector has said.
The watchdog gathers ‘insights’ from councils and checks whether schools are ‘anomalies’ in their local areas, a top inspector has said.
Ofsted will step up inspections of schools accused of “holding back” applications for admissions from children with special educational needs (SEND), a top inspector has said.
Sir Martyn Oliver told school leaders today: “Offrolling is wrong, but it can take many forms, including delaying a child or family before they have even applied.”
“So there will continue to be consequences for schools that kick kids out.”
questioner school week As for what Ofsted will do, Oliver said it would “hear cases” from parents or “be notified” or where there were complaints, adding: “We will ask leaders about those questions and we will follow up sensitively. But “We will ask those questions,” he said.
“It’s always been like that, but from now on, it’s something I want to pay more attention to and not fall into that kind of role. [Local Government and Social Care] This is the ombudsman who manages admissions.”
Oliver said the council had “insight” into when children moved schools, moved to selective home education or were withdrawn from education.
Ofsted also looked at national and local data on the proportion of children with SEND and education, health and care plans and said: “If a school is not working, we want to ask leaders why that is so.”
“There may be very good reasons locally” for this, he said.
Oliver is 'worried' due to off-rolling
Ofsted is currently carrying out a “Big Listen” consultation and Oliver said some leaders had reported telling parents that the school was “not best suited to meet their children’s needs”. But he admitted this can sometimes be “real”.
But “it bothers me greatly when there are leaders in local schools who perceive that other schools provide the best services for SEND pupils.
“Parents of children with education, health and care plans have the right to choose their school and be at the top of the list. “Most of the places we hear from are people with special needs.”
DfE research has previously shown that while there are “legitimate” reasons why some schools say they are unable to meet the needs of pupils with EHCPs, a “small minority” of schools and trusts have “inadequate and legitimate reasons” to “avoid” admitting these children. It found that “illegal practices” had been used.
The investigation found that schools “subtly” persuaded parents by claiming they could not meet their children's needs. However, it also happens “overtly,” with some schools denying admission.
all school week Last year's survey looked at inclusiveness in mainstream schools. Basic data on how many EHCP students a school has can be problematic. This is because lower numbers may mean that schools provide early support and do not require a statutory plan.