New Ofsted inspections of multi-academy trusts could begin as early as 2027, it has emerged.
The government has already pledged to introduce Ofsted inspections at MATs during this Parliament.
Currently, Ofsted provides summary evaluation of trusts (MATSEs), which sees it batch-inspect a number of schools within a trust. But it does not inspect the way their central teams work.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has today confirmed today government will introduce legislation to enable MAT inspections, via an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill.
Writing for Tes, she said: “Many of the decisions that shape schools…are taken at trust level, yet inspection does not yet fully reflect that reality”. Meanwhile, “variation in quality remains”.
She said new MAT inspections will “be about understanding quality and supporting trusts to improve” and “give trusts – and government – a clear, independent view of what they are doing well and where they need to strengthen.”
She said they will “celebrate” good practice, adding: “When standards are not being met, we will step in.”
She stressed Ofsted will work with the sector on the inspection plans, and will pilot and test them. “We expect trust inspections would not start before the 2027-28 academic year.”
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
