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23/11/2004
500 jobs to go at school's inspectorate, Ofsted
The school's inspectorate has said that it is to cut 500 jobs as part of a structural reorganisation, it has been announced today.
In July, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) announced plans to deliver estimated savings of 20% to Ofsted's annual budget by 2008 by reorganising on the basis of three regions in Bristol, Nottingham and Manchester; delivering efficiency savings by merging administrative support processes for early years and education inspections; reducing staffing numbers by approximately 20%; and scaling down the size of the organisation's corporate headquarters.
Following discussion with trade unions and staff, Ofsted confirmed today that eight other office locations will close between September 2005 and March 2006. This will be accompanied by a 30% reduction in the number of staff based at Ofsted's headquarters in London.
Ofsted offices that will close by March 2006 are the early years' centres in Leeds, Birmingham, Woking, Harlow, and London, and HMI support centres in Pudsey, Preston and Manchester – although Manchester staff will transfer to the new Manchester city centre location.
The reorganisation will contribute to an overall reduction in Ofsted's staffing numbers by 500. Staff affected by the changes will be offered a range of options and support including a voluntary redundancy package on enhanced terms, guaranteed relocation to another Ofsted regional office, or assistance in searching for other civil service employment.
All staff directly impacted by the changes were informed of the news during face-to-face meetings with senior managers.
Chief Inspector of Schools David Bell said: "We are committed to safeguarding the front-line delivery of our inspection services in order to continue improving our focus on delivering better education and care through effective inspection and regulation. I am confident that the 'Improving Ofsted' programme will deliver a fit-for-the-future inspectorate that will further benefit the education and care sectors through the delivery of lighter-touch, more proportionate, inspection services."
(gmcg)
In July, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) announced plans to deliver estimated savings of 20% to Ofsted's annual budget by 2008 by reorganising on the basis of three regions in Bristol, Nottingham and Manchester; delivering efficiency savings by merging administrative support processes for early years and education inspections; reducing staffing numbers by approximately 20%; and scaling down the size of the organisation's corporate headquarters.
Following discussion with trade unions and staff, Ofsted confirmed today that eight other office locations will close between September 2005 and March 2006. This will be accompanied by a 30% reduction in the number of staff based at Ofsted's headquarters in London.
Ofsted offices that will close by March 2006 are the early years' centres in Leeds, Birmingham, Woking, Harlow, and London, and HMI support centres in Pudsey, Preston and Manchester – although Manchester staff will transfer to the new Manchester city centre location.
The reorganisation will contribute to an overall reduction in Ofsted's staffing numbers by 500. Staff affected by the changes will be offered a range of options and support including a voluntary redundancy package on enhanced terms, guaranteed relocation to another Ofsted regional office, or assistance in searching for other civil service employment.
All staff directly impacted by the changes were informed of the news during face-to-face meetings with senior managers.
Chief Inspector of Schools David Bell said: "We are committed to safeguarding the front-line delivery of our inspection services in order to continue improving our focus on delivering better education and care through effective inspection and regulation. I am confident that the 'Improving Ofsted' programme will deliver a fit-for-the-future inspectorate that will further benefit the education and care sectors through the delivery of lighter-touch, more proportionate, inspection services."
(gmcg)
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Ofsted publishes guides for revised school inspections
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