Andrew Cook

The @educationgovuk has new guidance on mobile phones in schools. School leaders have Ofsted's backing to ban mobile phones and we know from inspections that many have already done so. Our blog explains how we’ll support the guidance on inspection. ⬇️ educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/23/wha…

💡 Want to better understand our renewed approach to education inspection? Our webinars explain toolkits, report cards, what happens on inspection and more. Watch on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/playlist?list=…

Join our webinar on Tuesday 25 March to hear directly from Ofsted about our proposed changes to the way we inspect schools: register.gotowebinar.com/register/75572… #OfstedConsultation

This #SocialWorkWeek, Yvette Stanley, National Director for Regulation and Social Care, and everyone at Ofsted, says 'thank you' to social workers for the great work that they do.

Today is ‘World Mental Health Day’ an important reminder that we should all take care of ourselves and others.

Some children sent to young offender institutions are allowed as little as half an hour a day outside their cell. We’re calling on youth custody service leaders to prioritise children and young people’s attendance at education: ow.ly/y84050TzQZ2

Earlier this month, we published our response to the Big Listen. Watch these short videos to find out about the main changes we are making for different sectors within education, care and children’s services. youtube.com/playlist?list=…

How did last year’s consultation on inspecting supported accommodation inform our inspection guidance? 📺 Watch Jay, care-experienced Brent Care Journeys collaborator, interviewing Matthew Brazier, Ofsted's project director for supported accommodation: youtube.com/watch?v=XWbtGL…

@amandaperraton Congratulations to you and your team Amanda 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🌟good news for children

We’ve published a new blog explaining the upcoming changes to ungraded inspections. It includes: - Thanks to schools who helped us try out our new approaches - What the pre-inspection call will be like - What the inspection will be like - Next steps educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/17/cha…

Sir Martyn Oliver told the @NAHTnews conference that he knows how difficult teaching can be. But he also knows how rewarding it can be. #NAHTconf #OfstedBigListen

Speaking at the @NAHTnews conference, Sir Martyn Oliver has announced a change to our ungraded inspections of schools. From September, they will no longer include deep dives. #OfstedBigListen #NAHTconf

Wishing our pupils, families and community a wonderful Eid Mubarak @EducationEACT

Are you one of over ten thousand respondents we’ve heard from so far in the #BigListen? If not, make sure you let us know your thoughts by the end of May. We want to hear from everyone: gov.uk/government/con…

This #SocialWorkWeek2024 listen to the latest episode of our podcast, Ofsted Talks, on how we included young people's views in our consultation on effective inspection of supported accommodation: ow.ly/RU0u50QVzvN

Young people’s wellbeing is vitally important, but more are struggling. We need to put this right theguardian.com/society/2024/m… @HappinessRpt #InternationalDayOfHappiness

Happy #WSWD2024 ! Who are you celebrating today? Give a shout out to your team or other professionals below... 🥳

Thank you to all social workers - in my job I have seen the positive difference you make for children and families. Huge respect for all of you 👍🏻#WorldSocialWorkDay2024

Today our Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver has launched a major public consultation on Ofsted’s work. We want to hear from you, watch below for more information and click on the link to take part. ow.ly/zAMH50QOIrr

THE DAY THE CHIEF INSPECTOR CAME TO TOWN People may have noticed that I have gone very quiet on the Ofsted front, after months of banging the drum about the urgent need for reform of the inspection process. I wanted to be fair & respectful to Sir Martyn Oliver and see/hear how things played out in the first few weeks. I started to hear good things from people I like and respect, but I didn't want to be taken in by a bit of spin and some positive PR. I wanted to start to see real change and, for the first time in ages, feel like we had reasons to be optimistic. I also wanted to look him in the eyes and see for myself whether he gets just what is needed. For the record, I absolutely believe that he does and I think better times are coming. It's safe to say that I didn't think he would take me up on my invite to visit our school but, not only did he say yes almost instantly, he made the visit happen quickly. So, today he spent 2 and a half hours visiting school, speaking to me and my colleagues and both he and the assistant regional director could not have been nicer or more lovely with the children. We felt privileged to have our voice listened to and, rest assured, we didn't pull any punches in our feedback. But, nothing came as a surprise. We all felt that Sir Martyn is clearly all about getting better outcomes for children and he knows his stuff. Slowly but surely, I genuinely believe that things will get better. Following the visit, I feel much more comfortable about being 'in the window' and am going to try really hard to stop jumping when the phone goes. Yes, there are still plenty of things to be ironed out at the highest levels, but do I think it will happen? Yes, I do, actually. I often think the true test when meeting someone new is whether I would like to go for a pint with them and whether I'd enjoy the experience. I try to take people as I find them and it may surprise some people out there, but it's an easy and resounding yes from me (and he said he'd take me up on the offer at some point....) Not everyone is going to agree with this post and many, like I have been for so long, will remain sceptical and feel like they have heard all this before. For what it's worth, I think this time is different and I believe better times are ahead. Watch this space - he has some good ideas. (Oh, and he is even bigger in real life than the pictures!)