HMCI’s commentaries

Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, writes about major issues in education and children’s services in a series of articles.

Commentaries allow Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) and others in Ofsted to share their thoughts on different aspects of our education system and children’s services. These are based on emerging inspection evidence, first hand observations and the considered views of those working in the system.

Children’s services commentaries are by Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s National Director of Social Care.

HMCI Amanda Spielman’s commentaries

• HMCI commentary: findings from visits in September
  • 6 October 2020
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary: the future of area special educational needs and disabilities inspections
  • 9 July 2020
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary: Our plans for the autumn
  • 6 July 2020
  • Authored article
• Commentary on school funding
  • 19 February 2020
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary: the initial teacher education curriculum
  • 16 October 2019
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary: managing behaviour research
  • 12 September 2019
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary: the roles of inspection and autonomy
  • 28 August 2019
  • Authored article
• Multi-academy trusts: discussing Ofsted’s research on their role and accountability
  • 15 July 2019
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary on knife crime
  • 12 March 2019
  • Authored article
• Commentary on curriculum research – phase 3
  • 19 December 2018
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary: curriculum and the new education inspection framework
  • 21 September 2018
  • Authored article
• HMCI commentary: curriculum and the new education inspection framework
  • 21 September 2018
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: recent primary and secondary curriculum research
  • 11 October 2017
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: new research into short school inspections
  • 7 March 2017
  • Authored article

Former HMCI Sir Michael Wilshaw’s commentaries

• HMCI’s commentary: high performing multi-academy trusts
  • 11 October 2016
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: new report on disadvantaged children
  • 14 July 2016
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: most able pupils
  • 10 June 2016
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: science and foreign languages in primary school
  • 19 May 2016
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: teacher shortages in England
  • 26 February 2016
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: first term of ‘good’ school short inspections
  • 28 January 2016
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: role of governance
  • 19 November 2015
  • Authored article
• HMCI’s commentary: improving performance of primary schools
  • 27 October 2015
  • Authored article

Published 26 February 2016
Last updated 6 October 2020 + show all updates

1. 6 October 2020

   Added Amanda Spielman’s commentary about findings from visits in September.

2. 23 September 2020

   Updated list of commentaries from Amanda Spielman, HMCI.

3. 12 March 2019

   Added Amanda Spielman’s latest commentary, which looks at knife crime.
4. 11 October 2017

   Added October’s commentary, discussing the primary and secondary curriculum.

5. 7 March 2017

   HMCI Amanda Spielman’s first monthly commentary is published.

6. 11 October 2016

   Added the October 2016 commentary.

7. 10 June 2016

   HMCI’s monthly commentary: June 2016 added

8. 3 June 2016

   Added commentary on social care by Eleanor Schooling.

9. 26 February 2016

   First published.