Supporting schools to maximise nursery and breakfast club funding

Schools regulator Ofsted has confirmed that a new approach to short inspections will be introduced in January 2018.

Under the new rules, inspectors will continue to convert short inspections of good schools into longer ones if they have serious concerns about safeguarding or behaviour, or if they think the quality of education has declined to an inadequate rating. This will usually take place within 48 hours.

In cases where the short inspection raises no significant issues with safeguarding or behaviour, but potential concerns are flagged up about the quality of education or leadership and management, the inspection will not be converted, with Ofsted instead publishing a letter setting out the school's strengths and areas for improvement.

This will be followed by a section 5 inspection taking place within one or two years, giving the school time to address any weaknesses and seek support from appropriate bodies, while retaining their current rating.

Finally, when inspectors believe a school may be improving towards an outstanding rating, a similar letter laying out strengths and weaknesses will be published, followed by a section 5 inspection two years. This allows the school to consolidate its strong practice, and to request an early follow-up inspection where appropriate.

Ofsted's national director of education Sean Harford said: "These new arrangements reflect our overall aim to act as a force for improvement through inspection, and to catch schools before they fall.

"We're confident they will ensure short inspections are responsible interventions that minimise the burden on schools, while at the same time providing constructive support and more time to improve."

The new changes are being implemented after a consultation that ran during September revealed that a majority of respondents supported each of the proposals. More than 1,500 responses to the online questionnaire were submitted, with responses also gathered from direct engagement with parents, headteachers, teaching unions and professional associations.

List #1

Related jobs

Geography Teacher

Salary

£32k - 47k per year

Location free text

Oldham

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

£30,000 - £39,999

£40,000 - £49,999

Sector

Geography

Location

Oldham

Description

Geography Teacher – Oldham Start Date: 2025 (ASAP) | Salary: £32,000 – £47,000 (DOE)Are you a qualified Geography Teacher seeking a new role in 2025? An exciting opportunity has arisen at an Ofsted

Reference

3245678

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Manchester North Secondary

Author

Manchester North Secondary

More Info Shortlist

Trauma Informed Tutor

Salary

£25 - 30 per hour

Location free text

Fleetwood

Job Type

Flexible Working

Salary

£20 - £29 per hour

Sector

Tutor/Intervention

Location

Lancashire

Description

Engaging and Supportive Core Subject Tutors with Trauma Training Required in the Fleetwood Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education.

Reference

RVFy7Trauma18/09

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

North Tuition

Author

North Tuition

More Info Shortlist

Trauma Informed Tutor

Salary

£25 - 30 per hour

Location free text

Chorley

Job Type

Flexible Working

Salary

£20 - £29 per hour

Sector

Tutor/Intervention

Location

Lancashire

Description

Engaging and Supportive Core Subject Tutors with Trauma Training Required in the Chorley Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. A

Reference

RVPR7Trauma18/09

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

North Tuition

Author

North Tuition

More Info Shortlist

SEN Teaching Assistant

Salary

£90 - 110 per day

Location free text

Wythenshawe

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

Less than £100 per day

£100 - £199 per day

Sector

Primary SEN Support

Location

Wythenshawe

Description

Year 2 SEN Teaching Assistant – Full-Time Role in Wythenshawe (October Start)Teaching Personnel is working in partnership with a well-regarded, inclusive primary school in Wythenshawe to recruit a ded

Reference

M22 Y2 SEN TA

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Manchester South Primary

Author

Manchester South Primary

More Info Shortlist

Primary Teacher

Salary

£120 - 165 per day

Location free text

Wythenshawe

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

£100 - £199 per day

Sector

KS2 - Year 4

Location

Wythenshawe

Description

Full-Time Year 4 Teacher – Join a Supportive Wythenshawe Primary School (Immediate Start)Teaching Personnel is proud to be working with a welcoming and inclusive primary school in Wythenshawe, current

Reference

M23 Y4 T

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Manchester South Primary

Author

Manchester South Primary

More Info Shortlist

English and EAL Teaching Assistant

Salary

£89.38 - 100.00 per day

Location free text

Chorley

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

Less than £100 per day

Sector

Teaching Assistant

Location

Lancashire

Description

English and EAL Teaching Assistant (Temporary to Permanent) Location: Chorley, Lancashire Start Date: February Contract: Full-Time, Temporary to Permanent Salary: Competitive, dependent on experienceW

Reference

1809TAPR7

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Lancashire Secondary

Author

Lancashire Secondary

More Info Shortlist

Teaching Assistant

Salary

Market related

Location free text

Southampton

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

£10 - £19 per hour

Sector

KS1 - Year 1

Location

Southampton

Description

KS1 Teaching Assistant – 1:1 Support Role – SouthamptonAre you an experienced and compassionate Teaching Assistant looking to make a real impact in a child’s learning journey?Teaching Personnel is cur

Reference

KS1TASoton

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Hampshire Primary

Author

Hampshire Primary

More Info Shortlist

Teaching Assistant

Salary

£13.70 - 19.85 per hour

Location free text

Denton

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

£10 - £19 per hour

£20 - £29 per hour

Sector

Teaching Assistant

Location

Greater Manchester

Description

Position: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Location: Denton Start Date: October half termThe Opportunity: Teaching Personnel is proud to be working in partnership with a progressive a

Reference

M34 HLTA 1

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Manchester South Primary

Author

Manchester South Primary

More Info Shortlist

Primary Teacher

Salary

Market related

Location free text

Southampton

Job Type

Flexible Working

Salary

£100 - £199 per day

Sector

Primary

Location

Southampton

Description

Primary Teacher – Flexible Work Across Southampton SchoolsIf you are a dedicated and enthusiastic Primary Teacher looking to make a difference across a variety of classrooms? Do you enjoy the flexibil

Reference

GeneralSupplysoton2

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Hampshire Primary

Author

Hampshire Primary

More Info Shortlist

Teaching Assistant

Salary

£89.38 - 108.00 per day + PAYE

Location free text

Cambridge

Job Type

Full Time

Salary

£10 - £19 per hour

Sector

SEN General

Location

Cambridge

Description

SEN Teaching Assistant – Cambridge | Term Time Only Are you passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and helping every child thrive?We’re looking for dedicated SEN Teaching

Reference

CGCAMBTA

Expiry Date

DD01YY

Author

Cambridge SEN

Author

Cambridge SEN

More Info Shortlist

List #1

Teaching interview questions: what to expect and how to prepare

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser

Teaching interviews can feel daunting, but the right preparation makes all the difference. From common questions to safeguarding, behaviour management, and career development, here’s how to prepare, what to expect, and how to make the best impression.

Teacher pay scales 2025–26: what you need to know

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser

Teacher pay scales for 2025–26 are changing, with a confirmed 4% rise across the board. From new starter salaries to leadership pay, discover what the updated scales mean for teachers, schools, and career planning.

Back To School: How To Set Up The Year For Success

Teaser

Education News

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser

The start of term sets the tone for the whole year. From staff onboarding to curriculum planning and wellbeing, discover practical ways to prepare your school for success this September and beyond.

Inclusive classrooms start with Thrive-trained educators

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser

Need skilled staff for today’s complex classrooms? Thrive-trained educators from Teaching Personnel are ready to reduce disruption and support every learner.

Thrive in every classroom: How CPD with impact can boost your career

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser

Struggling with behaviour or emotional needs in the classroom? Thrive CPD gives you practical tools to support every learner, especially those with SEND or SEMH.

The future of SEND support

Teaser

Education News

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser

With EHCP reform, funding investment, and workforce development on the horizon, the future of SEND support is changing fast. This blog breaks down what schools need to know, and how to prepare.

SEND

Overcoming SEND staffing challenges in schools

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser

SEND

Bridging the gap: Why SEND CPD matters for teachers

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD06YY

Summary

Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser

Are your staff prepared for the rising SEND needs in mainstream schools? Diagnoses are rising, but most teachers feel unprepared. Discover why high-quality SEND CPD is essential and how your school can upskill effectively without breaking the budget.

Pupils listening to teacher in classroom

Creating inclusive classrooms: strategies for success

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD06YY

Summary

In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser

With the number of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) rising, schools must take proactive steps to create inclusive learning environments. The National Audit Office (NAO) has highlighted the challenges in making mainstream schools more accessible, emphasising the urgent need for change. But while systemic improvements are necessary, educators can implement practical strategies today to support SEND pupils effectively.

How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD06YY

Summary

How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch

Teaser

Struggling to make sense of SEND funding for 2025–26? Get clarity and strategy in our free SEND Funding Guide, packed with insights schools can use now.

Funding
SEND

New approach to short school inspections announced by Ofsted

Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales

New approach to short school inspections announced by Ofsted

Register with usfor work in schools across England & Wales

Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales