The Educator Magazine U.K. Jan-April 2024 issue - Magazine - Page 76
Sir Martyn Oliver begins term
at Ofsted with mental health
awareness training for inspectors
The new His Majesty’s Chief Inspector begins with an
immediate package of training for inspectors, a
response to the Ruth Perry inquest and a Big Listen.
Source: Ofsted
• Sir Martyn Oliver begins 5-year term as
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
•Immediate package of training for
inspectors on mental health awareness,
meaning a later start to routine school
inspections.
• Sir Martyn’s Big Listen to follow
Ofsted’s response to the Ruth Perry
inquest, marking a determination to
hear from parents and professionals.
Sir Martyn Oliver will embark on a Big
Listen with all sectors Ofsted inspects
and regulates at the start of his tenure
as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of
Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
The Big Listen, to begin later this term,
will allow Sir Martyn to hear directly
from parents and professionals about
the strengths and weaknesses of
Ofsted’s current approach to inspection
and regulation.
As an immediate priority, the new
Chief Inspector will focus on Ofsted’s
response to the coroner’s inquest into
the tragic death of Ruth Perry.
Sir Martyn will respond in full to the
coroner’s findings in the coming weeks,
building on the work already done. S
ir Martyn has announced that routine
school inspections in the spring term
will begin later in January to
accommodate mental health awareness
training for inspectors in the first week
of term.
past 7 years.
My full job title highlights the breadth
of our work. We help raise standards
for children and learners at every stage
of their lives. But the public probably
know us best for inspecting schools.
Over the last year, since the tragic
death of Ruth Perry, our inspections
have come under great scrutiny. I’m
determined that we learn from this to
improve the way we work and respond
fully to the coroner’s inquest, taking
tangible actions to address the
concerns raised. A lot has been done
already, but a lot more can be done
now – starting with a robust
programme of mental health
awareness training for all our
inspectors. That begins next week and
will become an integral part of how we
train and develop our people.
The materials we use and the
changes we have already made, along
with much more to come, will be made
available for all to see. We are
determined to bring about a fresh start
in the New Year to inspire greater
confidence in our work among parents
and the sectors we inspect and
regulate.
At the beginning of next week,
Sir Martyn will lead initial training for all
inspectors. The session will also include
training and support from Mental
Health First Aid England, who will then
lead a rolling programme of further
mental health awareness training for all
inspectors. Details of this training will
be published, ensuring it is embedded
throughout the professions.
Along with immediate training on
mental health awareness, one of the
first things I want to do is listen – to
parents, to professionals in the sectors
we work with, and to people with an
interest in our work. We are here for
children, their parents and carers – and
we will serve them best by working
constructively, respectfully and
empathetically with the experts who
are responsible for their education and
care. Our people come from these
sectors. We understand the pressures
they are under – and we will make that
clear as we go about our work.
Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn
Oliver said:
I’m delighted and honoured to join
Ofsted as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector
of Education, Children’s Services and
Skills. And I would like to pay tribute to
my predecessor, Amanda Spielman, for
her tireless work in this role over the
Secretary of State for Education,
Gillian Keegan said:
Sir Martyn Oliver has an exceptional
record of delivering excellence as a
school and trust leader. I know that
he will bring vision, empathy and
leadership to successfully take Ofsted
into its next chapter.
I am looking forward to working closely
with Sir Martyn to ensure Ofsted
continues to evolve whilst maintaining
the accountability necessary to improve
lives by raising standards in education
and children’s social care.
The Big Listen
The Big Listen will provide an
opportunity for parents and
professionals to reflect on the strengths
and weaknesses of Ofsted’s current
approach to inspection and regulation.
This exercise marks a determination to
work more openly and transparently
with parents and the sectors Ofsted
inspects and regulates, while always
maintaining Ofsted’s focus on ensuring
the highest standards of education and
care.
Further details of the Big Listen will
follow later this term, including opportunities for parents and professionals to
be directly involved.
Recently announced changes to
school inspections include:
• scheduling inspectors to return more
quickly to schools graded inadequate
because of ineffective safeguarding
but which are otherwise performin
well
• changes to Ofsted’s complaints
process following a consultation held
last year
• the introduction of a duty helpline to
take calls directly from providers
during and after an inspection
• changes to school handbooks, to
make clear that school leaders can be
joined by colleagues in meetings with
inspectors, and can share inspection
outcomes with colleagues, family,
medical advisers and their wider
suport group, before sharing with
parents
• delivering seminars across all Ofsted’s
regions to support leaders of
previously exempt outstanding
schools ahead of their next inspection
Further changes will be announced
soon – as Ofsted continues to respond
to the coroner’s findings and her
regulation 28 report.