Press release: Statement on Court of Appeal judgment: Durand Academy Trust -v- Ofsted

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the Judge was wrong to conclude that Ofsted’s complaints procedures are unfair in serious weakness/special measures cases, and that it was wrong to quash the inspection report.

A spokesperson for Ofsted said:

We have always maintained that our complaints process, especially for inadequate schools, is fair and rigorous. Naturally we are delighted that the Court of Appeal has unanimously endorsed that assessment today.

All judgements of inadequate are subject to additional scrutiny and an extended quality assurance process before being finalised. Schools are engaged in this process and have the opportunity to challenge the inspection findings. We are very pleased that today’s judgement has confirmed that these procedures are fair and reasonable for schools, and that the Judge was wrong to quash the report.