In 2016 we wrote to supporters asking them to contribute to a public consultation on the powers of Ofsted. The Government has listened, and dangerous plans to expand Ofsted’s remit have now been dropped.
There have been a number of reports in the past of Ofsted inspectors using existing powers to interrogate teachers and children in schools on their beliefs about traditional marriage.
In its consultation the Government asked for the public’s views on extending Ofsted’s remit to out-of-school settings which provide under-19s with instruction for more than six hours a week.
This could have meant Ofsted inspections across a huge spectrum of youth activity, from sports clubs to driving lessons, drama groups to church choirs.
Many Ofsted inspectors already try to enforce a narrow view of ‘British values’ that labels as extremist anybody speaking in favour of traditional marriage. Expanding the inspectorate’s scope could only have made it harder for real marriage supporters to explain their beliefs.
Thank you to all those who responded.
Ofsted power-grab rebuffed
