The Big Listen, which Ofsted says ‘marks a new chapter in its relationship with the education and care sectors’, will run for 12 weeks and aims to put the interests of disadvantaged children at the ‘heart of reforms’.
According to the inspectorate, the major public consultation will be ‘wide-reaching’ and a comprehensive effort to hear from the full range of professionals and providers it works with.
The 'Big Listen' was first announced by Ofsted in January as a way to learn from headteacher Ruth Perry's death.
Sir Martyn: 'We need to listen to feedback'.
Launching the Big Listen today at the Association of School and College Leaders’ (ASCL) conference in Liverpool, chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver is expected to say, ‘’We want to see high standards for all children, and positive outcomes for all children. This is how we start to tackle disadvantage as a society – by opening new doors, creating new opportunities and better life chances.
‘We need to listen to feedback. To criticism. To ideas for small changes and for big reforms.
‘If your work, your children, your decisions, your education or your care are impacted by what we do, we want to hear from you. Every voice will be heard, and nothing is off the table.’
The Big Listen consultation asks a series of questions to help ‘shape the conversation and provide a sense of direction’ for the changes Ofsted could make. The questions are based around four themes, they are:
- How Ofsted reports on its findings.
- How Ofsted carries out inspections.
- How Ofsted can have a positive impact in all the sectors it inspects.
- What Ofsted needs to do to be a world-class inspectorate and regulator, trusted by parents, children and the sectors it works with.
Ofsted will launch a strand of the consultation specifically aimed at children, including those in the care system, later this month.
As well as the online consultation, independent organisations will carry out surveys and focus groups with parents and professionals to gather their views on Ofsted’s ‘future direction’. Ofsted staff will also gather views at a variety of events and meetings.
Sir Martyn: 'I'm serious about making a difference'.
In his first major speech since becoming Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn will tell delegates at the ASCL conference that he wants the Big Listen to mark a new chapter in Ofsted’s relationship with the sector.
He will state, ‘I hope the steps I’ve taken in my first two months show you that I’m serious. Serious about Ofsted doing better. Serious about making a difference. And serious about working with the sector to make sure all children have the best possible education, care, and life chances.’
‘Ofsted has a unique position in that it sees almost all of the services that affect a child’s life, especially a vulnerable child’s life, from their childminder or nursery, throughout their education and training. And for children who need additional care or support, this includes children’s services and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).’
The inspectorate says it will use its ‘unique position’ to understand what it is like to be a child in every area of the country, with a focus on disadvantage – reporting on how children are helped to succeed and where children fall through the gaps.
- The Big Listen consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on 31 May 2024. For more information and to complete the consultation, click here
- Ofsted will publish its response to the Big Listen consultation later this year.