School Websites – Ofsted Requirements

Your school website is likely to be the first place prospective parents and students will visit and you only get one chance to make a first impression. This also applies to your Ofsted inspectors who, it is clear, visit your website as part of their preparations. Given there are statutory requirements dictating things that must be on your website and given these requirements are regularly updated it is worth reviewing your school website content with Ofsted in mind.

Ofsted On School Websites?

So what do Ofsted themselves specifically say about your school website? In fact they directly mention your school website twice in the school inspection handbook. One is a reference to requiring more clarification when information is not available on the school’s website. The second is that inspectors will review and consider publicly available information including that provided on the school website. Moreover there are plenty of examples within actual inspection reports that mention, both positively and negatively, feedback on the school website. Two good examples from recent inspection reports are that “the school sends a clear message on the homepage of the school’s website about the importance of safeguarding” and “we explored the school’s website to evaluate the quality of information provided to parents”. Clearly Ofsted does use website information to inform their judgements on a school.

Who Audits Your Website?

With this in mind it is clearly worth considering auditing your website in preparation for your next Ofsted inspection. But who should do it? The headteacher is a good option but often they may struggle for time, whilst a governor may lack the appropriate regulatory knowledge. It is a genuine risk not having your website audited by someone with an appropriate background understanding of education policies and requirement. In this situation issues are not always spotted until Ofsted or an unhappy parent pick up on them. At Concept4 we partner with an ex-headteacher who now focuses his efforts specifically in this world of school websites and statutory compliance.

Common Mistakes

Audits have identified that there are quite a few common mistakes made when it comes to website information. The good news is that the majority are quite easy to fix. For example it is important to have a named person who deals with queries from members of the public rather than reference to, say, the school office. The site must clearly show how the school’s approach to the curriculum fulfils duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. You are expected to show how particular governors were appointed. Finally, another good example relates to requests for paper copies of website information. A simple statement is needed explaining that all material on the website is available as a paper copy and how to request this.  

If you are interested in having your website reviewed from an Ofsted perspective please contact us. We can then arrange an audit based on the most up-to-date statutory requirements, followed up with a written, RAG rated report that can be used as evidence for senior leaders and Ofsted. The cost is only around £235 so it is well worth the small investment for both improved website information and peace of mind.