Nearly half of “outstanding” schools reviewed by Ofsted this term have been downgraded, figures show.

The watchdog has started inspecting schools which were previously given the top grade which meant they have been exempt from visits for a number of years.

The Ofsted data shows that, during the three months up to the end of November, 47 per cent of schools previously judged as “outstanding” have been stripped of their top rating following inspections this term.

More than half of the 99 schools visited between September 1 and November 30 this year – which were previously given the top grade – had not been inspected for more a decade, Ofsted said.

In October last year, the Department for Education (DfE) backed removing the exemption from inspection for “outstanding” schools and colleges, which was first introduced in 2012.

The watchdog has been prioritising inspections of previously exempt schools that have gone the longest without an assessment.

The data suggest that just over a third (36 per cent) of schools previously judged as “outstanding” dropped one rating to “good”, almost one in ten (nine per cent) dropped two grades to “requires improvement” and two per cent received the bottom rating of “inadequate”.

Overall inspection results ‘slightly improved’ since pre-pandemic

But Ofsted said the overall grade profile for schools in England has improved in comparison with the period prior to the pandemic.

The data show that 83 per cent of schools were judged as “good” or “outstanding” between September and November this year.

This compares with 77 per cent of schools rated good or outstanding between September 2019 – when the new education inspection framework was introduced – and March 2020, when inspections were suspended.

Last week, the DfE announced that Ofsted inspections will not go ahead this week to ensure schools can plan for omicron contingency measures.

But several unions have called for Ofsted inspections to be paused until after the February half-term.

Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of Ofsted, said: “I am fully aware that schools are still facing very significant challenges as a result of the pandemic.

“So I’m very pleased to report that schools are improving and being recognised for doing so.

“In fact, inspection results this term are very much in line with what we saw before the pandemic began, if not slightly improved. That will be a reassurance to parents and to schools as well.”

Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We’re delighted for schools that have done well in Ofsted inspections this term, particularly as this has been achieved in extremely challenging circumstances.

“Schools have been hit by wave after wave of pupil and teacher absence because of the impact of Covid, and it is unfathomable that Ofsted has ploughed on with routine inspections regardless.

“Those schools which have been downgraded may well feel very hard done by. Ofsted says that it takes into account the impact of Covid but, as that impact varies to such a great extent, this seems to us to be extremely difficult to do in a way that is fair.”

‘More of a hindrance than a help’

Nick Brook of the National Association of Headteachers said that Ofsted has been “more of a hindrance than a help” to schools during the pandemic.

He said that inspections are the “very last thing schools need” given the current situation, adding: “School leaders are under enormous pressure just to stay open and minimise disruption for learners. Pupils will be best served by their schools not being distracted by preparation for inspection.”