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Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
is the official Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of
Schools in England. It was established in September 1992 and
is a non-ministerial government department, independent from
the Department for Education & Skills.
Ofsted's remit is to improve standards of achievement and
quality of education through regular independent inspection,
public reporting and informed independent advice. Its principal
task is the management of the system of school inspection
defined originally by the Education (Schools) Act 1992. This
provides for the regular inspection of all 24,000 schools
in England which are wholly or mainly state-funded.
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The role
has been expanded over successive years. In addition to
school inspections, Ofsted undertakes reviews of LEAs,
inspects initial teacher training courses, the private,
voluntary and independent nursery sector, independent
schools (including independent special schools), and LEA-funded
youth services. It also reports on the impact of government
initiatives such as education action zones and excellence
in cities.
In 2001, Ofsted took responsibility for inspecting all
16-19 education and training in sixth form and further
education colleges. Through its area-wide inspection reports,
it reviews the overall planning of education and training
provision for post-16 learners throughout England.
Links
www.ofsted.gov.uk
Similar duties are carried out
by the Welsh and Scottish Ofsted bodies whilst the Department
of Education in Northern Ireland covers this remit in
the province. |
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