Ofsted to investigate rumours of schools hiding unruly students from inspectors on 'conveniently timed school trips'

Ofsted will investigate whether schools across England are hiding badly behaved students from inspectors on “conveniently timed” school trips.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s chief inspector, will use a speech to address the “constant rumours” she hears of schools covering up poor behaviour by sending unruly pupils away during inspections.

She will commit to an assessment of the “problem” at the Festival of Education at Wellington College on Thursday.

Ofsted will also look to talk to a wider range of school staff – such as trainees, newly qualified teachers and lunchtime supervisors – who are more likely to be exposed to poor behaviour.

But headteachers have said it is “just rumours” and have said it would be very difficult for school leaders to arrange for children to be absent with short notice of inspections.

Speaking at the conference, Ms Spielman will say she wants inspectors to focus more on behaviour in schools including “low level disruption” – such as swinging on chairs and talking in class.

The schools’ watchdog could create a separate “behaviour and attitudes” judgement in inspections.

Ofsted inspectors will support headteachers who decide to adopt stricter punishments – such as “community service” on school grounds, writing lines and detentions – for low level disruption in class.

“I fundamentally disagree with those who say that taking a tough stance on behaviour is unfair to children,” she will say.

“There is nothing kind about letting a few pupils spoil school for everyone else. That is why we expect heads to put in place strong policies that support their staff in tackling poor behaviour.”

Ms Spieman will back calls for heads to ban mobile phones at school, saying it can create disruption in class.

“I want us to look just as hard at low level disruption, which stops pupils learning and which can make the job of classroom management miserable,” she will say.

“Technology has made the challenge of low level disruption even worse,” Ms Spielman will warn.

“I am yet to be convinced of the educational benefits of all day access to ‘Snapchat’ and the like; and the place of mobile phones in the classroom seems to me dubious at best.”

Her comments come after the culture secretary, Matt Hancock, called on heads to ban mobile phones, saying he admired those who do not allow the device to be used during the school day

Ofsted researchers are currently designing a study to assess the extent to which students are being hidden away during school inspections – and whether any action should be taken to address it.

Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Rumours about badly behaved children being hidden from inspectors are just that – rumours.

“It is not an acceptable practice and we look forward to seeing how Ofsted intends to assess the extent of this issue.”

Mr Trobe added: “We can assure the chief inspector that schools do not shy away from putting in place strong behaviour policies and that they are well aware of the importance of a well-ordered and disciplined environment as a cornerstone for effective learning.

“They decide on the nature of sanctions based on their knowledge and experience of what is most effective in their school, and it is important that this remains a matter of professional judgement rather than an expectation that certain sanctions will be used.”

Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said: “Schools get less than a day’s notice of inspection, so it is extremely unlikely that a school trip for a group of unruly pupils could be organised in that time in order for the school to avoid their behaviour being scrutinised.

“Holding schools to account for the work that they do is an essential part of our publicly funded education system, but the National Audit Office (NAO) recently concluded that Ofsted cannot show whether its school inspections are having a positive impact on standards.

“This should be Ofsted’s focus for the coming twelve months, not rumour-driven investigations which could further erode public confidence.”