Written question asked by Debra Shipley (Labour) on Thursday, 4 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 November 2004. It was answered by David Miliband (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will reduce the inspection requirements on schools with a good inspection track record.

Answer: Ms Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will reduce the inspection requirements on schools with a good inspection track record. [197184] Mr. Miliband: In June 2004, the Department and Ofsted published "A New Relationship with Schools", setting out our plans for a shorter, sharper school inspection system, based around a schools own self- evaluation. From September 2005 all school inspections will provide schools with less notice of an inspection, involve fewer inspectors, spending less time in schools. Hence all schools will experience a significantly reduced weight of inspection. The proposals will require that all schools be inspected at least once every three years, providing more relevant information for parents and their communities, but will operate such that higher performing schools can expect to receive fewer inspection visits. There are no plans to introduce further differentiation in inspection requirements at this stage.

Secondary information