HEADTEACHERS at two of Oxfordshire’s top performing schools have welcomed news that they will no longer be routinely inspected.

Education SecretaryMichael Gove says he wants Ofsted to target poor schools rather than those graded outstanding.

Usually schools are inspected every five years.

But Mr Gove says schools rated outstanding by Ofsted – the highest inspection grade – will now no longer be routinely inspected unless warning signals are triggered, so that Ofsted can focus on areas of failure.

Parents could also request inspections if they had concerns.

David Howlett, headteacher at Longcot and Fernham Primary School, near Faringdon, which was rated outstanding by Ofsted following an inspection in October last year, welcomed the news.

He said: “My initial feeling is that it would allow us to get on with the business of teaching and I would certainly think that is very good news indeed.

“We currently work with a school improvement partner who reports back to the local authority on our targets and grades anyway, and I am more in favour of that.

“Ofsted has changed so much that you are never quite sure what agenda they come in with.”

He added that he was keen to see figures and firm proposals in writing before passing judgement on the plans.

Sean O’Sullivan, headteacher of Frank Wise Special School, Banbury, given Ofsted’s highest grade in January, agreed. He said: “There is a need for a system that allows an inspection to take place if there is an appropriate level of concern, but I think in other respects, if a school has proved itself to be achieving above and beyond the kind of standards expected, it is very reasonable to focus resources on those schools where there may be concerns.

“I would certainly welcome the efficient use of resources. What-ever we can save in sensible ways is very welcome because it means that money can be used constructively.”

Enstone Primary School headteacher Lindsay Daulton, whose school was rated outstanding in October last year, was unconvinced.

She said: “It is quite a bold step to think these schools don’t ever need to have an Ofsted inspection again because schools can be a very different place years later.

“I can’t see how it will be workable having 10 per cent of schools that are outstanding not being monitored, and 90 per cent being checked all the time.

“There has to be some sort of balance and check.”

About 2,900 UK schools are currently rated outstanding by Ofsted, including 20 primaries, four secondaries, three special schools and three nurseries in Oxfordshire.

Mr Gove’s proposals will form part of the Government’s Education and Children’s Bill, due to be published in the autumn.