Ian Widdows

Am I the only one this doesn't sit right with? In messaging, what’s not said is often as important as what is. The word “renewed” is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. It signals continuity—not reform. Not rewrite. Just... more of the same…gov.uk/government/new…

I wonder how “reassured” the profession is feeling based on this? gov.uk/government/new…

".@martyneoliver has told the Association of Directors of Children’s Services’ annual conference that he expects area SEND inspections to change in response to the SEND reforms due to be announced this autumn." @JohnGRoberts reports for @tes: tes.com/magazine/news/…

DfE refused to say how the members were selected. However, two leaders said they did not apply and instead received emails inviting them to join buff.ly/RKBCjUT

I'm not sure I can be polite about this, so forgive me if my tone is terse. What the hell is Sir Martyn Oliver doing, framing the end of single-word judgements as a problem? He should know better. And if he doesn't, someone should tell him. theguardian.com/education/2025…

I only realised today just how much the letter ‘A’ in @Ofstednews ‘A’cademy is similar to the well established anarchist symbol. I assume it was not deliberate. How much time was spent considering its suitability?

"This would be an unprecedented step for ASCL & @NAHTnews and underlines the strength of feeling about the proposed reforms. We very much hope this is not an action we have to take.” ICYMI: our joint letter on encouraging withdrawal of #Ofsted inspectors: ow.ly/qbIV50WfqYr

Breaking: Leaders’ unions will consider the 'unprecedented step' of asking their members to quit as Ofsted inspectors unless the watchdog delays roll-out of new inspections and ditch plans for five grades buff.ly/1PH9PSx

I have discovered a number of inspectors who do not understand confidence intervals and have a vague and often wrong understanding of the performance data they are analysing.

Indeed! I once had a conversation with a new HMI who was clueless about confidence intervals and statistical significance when dealing with data from very small cohorts. Unfortunately, this person was on the 'helpdesk' and not really willing to listen!

I was once involved in designing an inspection framework. The process was very time-consuming and thorough. We then had pilot inspections, took feedback and made changes, which took months and months. How on earth can Ofsted do everything in time for November?

Big news day for Ofsted: a new chair is set to be named and the inspectorate is set to announce its report card consultation response now won't be published until September Story here: buff.ly/bkXFxTr

Important research paper includes evidence from Alternative Big Listen and confirms our belief that a major overhaul is required. Amending Toolkits won't be sufficient to address fundamental weaknesses in the process and unlikely to win back lost trust. thealternativebiglisten.co.uk/f/important-re…

This looks really interesting!! @EdgarQuilabert @VergerToni

Veniu!👇

All Beyond Ofsted papers in one thread - share to help real reform Perryman, J., Bradbury, A., Calvert, G., & Kilian, K. (2025) ‘Headteachers and External Inspection in England’ EMAL doi.org/10.1177/174114… #ofsted @AliceJBradbury @IOE_London @NEUnion

These align with views shared by respondents to The Alternative Big Listen and The Alternative Big Consultation. So what does Ofsted do? They increase the pressure by introducing more grades and more areas to be graded and then hosting them on a Scorecard. thealternativebiglisten.co.uk

92% of headteachers reported increased stress and workload. 88% said Ofsted isn’t a force for improvement. 80% said it stifled creativity and innovation. Many headteachers described a "Sword of Damocles" effect—constant anxiety about “getting the call.

🚨 This will be difficult reading for HMI and Ofsted fans. NEW research 🔬 🗣️ Even when schools are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, headteachers reported high levels of stress, pressure, and a loss of professional autonomy from @Ofstednews inspections bit.ly/4dxJYYr

Another busy week summarised in today's video briefing with @pepediiasio, including reflections on today's meeting of the Improving #Education Together board, the gov't's announcement on funding of 300 school-based nurseries, and recruitment and retention: vimeo.com/1072570429