All posts by Kerry Boffey

Inspections: What we now know following Ofsted’s first visits

Be guided by the toolkit, get ready for scrutiny of inclusion, safeguarding and careers, and showcase strong governance The first results are out – and the outcomes of Ofsted’s inspections under the new education inspection framework look encouraging. After last year’s extensive consultations, there’s an argument that all’s well that ends well. But employers and providers […]

January Insights 2026

New Funding Rules resource is finally here If you’ve ever stared at the funding rules and wondered if they were written in another language, you’re not alone. ILR submissions, pricing agreements, and correctly documenting changes; it’s a lot to juggle, and the stakes are high. Get it wrong, and the consequences aren’t just financial; they […]

December Insights 2025

Will inspection meet your expectations? Penning this page in mid-November, it feels like Christmas is already here, such is the sheer pressure of commercialism and little regard for the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas aside, Ofsted continues with new inspections, some of which have already taken place, and if anything, the pressure continues; it’s different, […]

November Insights 2025

What does effective governance mean? With the imminent application of the new toolkit, we are seeing fewer published inspection reports, making it much more challenging to produce a statistical analysis. Until new inspections become more common, we will suspend our normal data charts. However, the small number of reports published shows learner achievement remains the […]

Thriving providers are the ones who’ve stopped performing for Ofsted

Too many providers let data sit in dashboards instead of using it to shape strategy. National Grid’s forensic, forward-looking use of information shows how inspection confidence grows from evidence-led improvement, not compliance paperwork. The further education and skills sector has long been accustomed to change. New Ofsted frameworks, shifting government policy and evolving business demands […]

October Insights 2025

The wait is finally over. Was it worth it? The long-awaited new inspection framework is now in place, and Ofsted promises it will be better for the sector and less burdensome for nominees and teams. One only has to read how providers will meet the new evaluations to realise the light at the end of […]

Ofsted’s reforms are a missed chance that won’t futureproof FE and skills

The education inspection framework revamp touts inclusion and fairness but without industry insight and real focus on apprenticeships, FE will still be underserved. In just under a month’s time, Ofsted will roll out its revised Education Inspection Framework (EIF) for further education and skills providers. On paper, it looks like progress: the single overall judgment […]

September Insights 2025

We still haven’t got to grips with safeguarding. As we prepare for a new framework it’s worth considering whether we got everything right in the old framework. This extract from a report published in August suggests there is still work to do. The arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective. There are systemic weaknesses in safeguarding practice. […]

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