Ofsted to visit every term

Some schools are to get more frequent visits from Ofsted in a bid to improve standards, Chief Inspector of Education Christine Gilbert has said.

Schools previously rated satisfactory or inadequate will be inspected annually or even each term from September 2009.

The changes will see inspectors arrived unannounced at schools.

In contrast, better-performing schools will only be subject to checks every six years.

Speaking at a conference in London for head teachers, Ms Gilbert said that primary schools whose pupils leave without an adequate grasp of literacy and numeracy may be penalised.

The plans reflect the government’s concern at the significant numbers of primary pupils who fail to attain basic standards in English and maths.