Dozens of "outstanding" Lincolnshire schools will face inspectors

From September, Ofsted will resume inspecting schools across the country and for the first time in almost a decade, those deemed outstanding will also face compulsory routine visits.

Figures from the education watchdog, covering 334 of Lincolnshire's primary and secondary schools, show that 43 received an outstanding rating the last time they were inspected.

Under rules introduced in 2012, those schools became exempt from being routinely reinspected and only faced scrutiny if concerns were raised about their performance.

Some of these Lincolnshire schools include Boston West Academy, Caistor Grammar School, King Edward VI Grammar School, Lincoln Carlton Academy, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Alford - A Selective Academy, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle, Staniland Academy, The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy, The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, William Alvey School in Sleaford and Louth Kidgate Primary Academy.

The exemptions were introduced by the then Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition Government to give outstanding schools more freedom.

But the guidelines mean many schools across England have gone years without being visited by inspectors as a result.

Martin Smith, assistant director for education at Lincolnshire County Counil, said: "I'm confident that all local schools continuously strive to improve and provide the best possible education for their pupils, whatever their current rating. Schools are very familiar with the need for scrutiny and accountability, and this will be an opportunity for outstanding schools to demonstrate their ongoing improvement."

According to the latest Ofsted figures, the outstanding educational facilities in Lincolnshire include 30 primary schools and 13 secondary schools.

The coronavirus pandemic saw the organisation suspend all routine inspections, but in line with the lifting of restrictions across the country, inspectors will begin their visits again in September.

The move to remove exemptions for outstanding schools, announced by the Department for Education in October, was welcomed by the Association of School and College Leaders, while the National Education Union said outstanding schools should never have been treated differently.

Geoff Barton from ASCL said the exemptions had been well-intentioned with built-in safeguards but had resulted in parents going too long without the “verification of an inspection”.

He added: “It is time to reverse the policy."

Ofsted's Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman said: “We had long called for the exemption for outstanding schools to be lifted.

"I am very pleased that all schools will now be inspected routinely once our full inspection programme restarts this autumn. This is what parents expect and children deserve.

“This change will reassure parents and ensure that the outstanding judgement itself remains a genuine beacon of excellence.”

All formerly exempt schools must be inspected within the next five years and Ofsted will prioritise schools that have gone the longest without an inspection.