Schools with debating clubs or cadets to be rewarded to help build childrens' resilience, Ofsted chief says

Schools with debating clubs or cadets are to be rewarded under the new inspection regime, as Ofsted seeks to help build resilience in young people.

Under the new draft framework, published today, inspectors will mark schools on how much they help children “develop their character” which includes their resilience, confidence and independence.

Ofsted is proposing to have a stand-alone category for “personal development” for the first time, as a way to encourage schools to prioritise extra-curricular activities.

This could include debating or public speaking societies, cadet forces, Duke of Edinburgh, or extra music or drama clubs.

Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector, said the move is intended to emphasise to headteachers that building resilience in young people is an integral part of education.

“It’s about making clear that education is not just about teaching a good set of academic subjects really well,” she said. “There is something a bit intangible and bigger than that, and it is making sure they recognise that.”

Ms Spielman said that inspectors would not reward schools for putting on any one particular extra-curricular activity, but rather they would look at the range of pursuits on offer.  

“It's not about any one thing, it’s about having a range of opportunities so people can discover their talents and interests,” she said. “A good school or college has that range of activities, so that everybody can discover what they are good at.”

She said that many schools already have these kinds of extra-curricular programmes on offer, but the new inspection framework seeks to reward them and encourage others to follow their lead. 

“It’s putting a bit more value on it, putting a bit more weight on it…so schools know they will get recognition and value placed on doing this kind of thing - rather than thinking we will spend all our spare time on English or Maths revision sessions.”

Under the new inspection proposals, schools will be marked down if pupils misbehave and are discourteous to each other.

The move follows research by Ofsted which revealed a rise in “low level” disruption such as children playing on their mobile phones and other electronic devices in the classroom.  

Inspections in England will no longer focus on exam results and grades, and instead will concentrate on whether pupils are being taught a broad curriculum, the framework says. 

Speaking at the Sixth Form Colleges Association winter conference today, she said: “A new personal development judgement will look at the opportunities providers give to build character and resilience, and to prepare children and young people to succeed as adults and active citizens in modern Britain.

“Importantly, this judgement will not try to assess the full impact of personal development provision: that is clearly impossible in a day or two on site.”

Ofsted’s proposals are now under consultation, and the new inspection framework will come into force from September.