The thing that I simply don’t understand about the fuss over Ofsted in the Autumn term is that the dispute is over such a small thing. Both sides - inspectorate and unions - have agreed on so much and are so close in broad terms

Should inspectors visit schls in Autumn?
Should this NOT be about inspection under the new framework?
Should it rather be about understanding how schls are managing during this time and what support they need?
Should there be no grade, and no data retained for S5?

The only dispute - as far as I can see it - is whether the inspectors write a letter to parents after the visit

Now - in normal times, this absolutely should happen. Parents are an important (the most important, and often under appreciated in policy debate) stakeholder

BUT - this is *not* an assessment of *the school*. It is a visit to understand how the *system* is managing. It’s akin to a visit for a thematic review - for which there are no parent letters.

That’s why it’s clear that the letters will be a summary of info leaders have provided

Given that everyone is agreed on so much - and not without both taking heat on either side (from @NAHTnews+ @ASCL_UK members who don’t want *any* inspectors this term / year, and those in govt who don’t want to let up on the principle of vital Ofsted visits) - why not settle?

Do the visits. Don’t write a letter. Share info freely+openly from leaders. Flag up safeguarding and child protection concerns immediately, of course. Let heads be honest. Publish findings rapidly. Do a thematic conclusion. And let proper inspections resume as soon as they can.