Ofsted ordered to disclose evidence behind school's 'inadequate' inspection report

Education regulator Ofsted has defeated an attempt by a primary school to secure an injunction to prevent publication of a critical report but was ordered to provide the evidence behind its conclusion that the school was 'inadequate'.

Ofsted's report found that the school had inadequate leadership and early years provision, and should improve its quality of teaching, personal development and pupil outcomes.

Langley Hall had been rated ‘good’ at its previous inspection in 2013.

In a letter to parents, chair of governors Christopher Ball said: “Ofsted’s inspection of 24-25 May found that staff and parents widely supported our head teacher’s vision for the school, that pupils were well behaved, and that they were generally kept safe. “Yet it found the school ‘inadequate’ solely because it thought – incorrectly – that details of safety checks for a single supply teacher had not been on file before he started work here.”

Although the school was not granted the injunction it sought, Mr Ball said the governors won a High Court order requiring disclosure of the evidence base and that an independent Ofsted-trained inspector should compare Ofsted’s evidence with the school’s own information.

He said it had been agreed that this inspector’s report would be put before the court, which would hear an application to set aside Ofsted’s finding if the new report concurred with the school’s case.

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “Ofsted is pleased that the court found no reason to grant an injunction to suppress the publication of the report following the recent inspection of. The report has been through the most rigorous quality assurance process and we stand by its conclusions.

“We are, however, happy to comply with court's request that we disclose the evidence base for this inspection. It represents clearly the position of the school at the time of the inspection.”