The 157 Group has warmly welcomed the letter to schools from Sir Michael Wilshaw, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, outlining key changes to school inspection in 2014-15.
Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, “The announcement of separate grades for school sixth forms is an important step towards gaining a level playing field upon which all providers of post-16 education can be fairly judged. We are not surprised that this proposal received overwhelming support in the recent consultation and are glad that Ofsted is implementing the change so swiftly. It will enable parents, young people and all those in the education world to properly assess the success of different types of post-16 provision in preparing future generations for work and life in the 21st century.
“We are also pleased to see a renewed emphasis on the broader curriculum within schools from Ofsted. Further Education Colleges know that a high quality preparation for working life and economic success is not just about teaching knowledge and skill. Employers want the education system to focus also on young people’s personal development and aspects of their character such as resilience, confidence and enterprise. Ofsted’s focus will help to ensure that schools take this as seriously as Colleges do.”