Think tank praises Ofsted's changes but says more can be done
See all news![Close-up of young child writing with a pencil at a desk.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/aldridge-institute-ofsted-policy-report-760x292.jpg?la=en&h=292&w=760&mw=847&hash=50BBF8BCFE5984767656E6A1CD310491)
Members of a pioneering institute set up to shape national education policy on enterprise skills has welcomed The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) new draft inspection framework. However it believes some of the new measures should be more ambitious.
The Aldridge Institute for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, based at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), develops innovative approaches to the teaching and learning of enterprise skills, and acts as a national think tank, lobbying government on how enterprise education can transform students' futures and boost the economy.
This week Ofsted published a draft framework on how it plans to change the way in which it assesses and rates schools. It plans to focus on how results are achieved – which it says reflects good education – as opposed to focusing solely on pupils' marks and exam results.
Professor Gurpreet Jagpal, Director of the Aldridge Institute, said: “We welcome this new framework, as well as Ofsted's desire to focus on how results are achieved.
“We strongly advocate the positive value of enterprise and entrepreneurship in education, the need for equal opportunity and young people equipped with future-proofed skills – the proposed framework begins to take some steps to recognise the voice for enterprise and entrepreneurship teaching and learning.
“However, we believe it needs to be more ambitious and should look forward to the needs of young people beyond their time in education, to focus on knowledge and skills.”
The education watchdog's draft set out that school pupils' personal development and behaviour should be separated when a school is assessed. Referring to this, Professor Jagpal said: “We commend Ofsted's focus on personal development and behaviour, but the two should not be separated.
“Behaviour is about more than classroom discipline or bullying. It's about the enterprising skills needed to succeed – in education, in employment and in society – such as teamwork.
“As a result, we would encourage the 'embedding' of such attributes in all aspects of learners' education interaction.”
Ofsted's Chief Investigator Amanda Spielman said in her speech announcing the framework that she summed up her ambition for the framework using the words 'substance' and 'integrity'.
In response to this, Professor Jagpal said: “Integrity is an education system that equips young people with the skills to succeed in our rapidly changing society and economy. This is a chance to change not just an inspection regime, but a culture that exam results are the only success criteria. Enterprise skills must be a key part of this.”
The Aldridge Institute is a partnership between The Aldridge Foundation charity and UWE Bristol. Made up of a team of researchers and lecturers, the Institute is based at the University's new £55 million Bristol Business School building. Academics from across the Faculty of Business and Law collaborate with the Institute to strengthen its impact.
Professor Jagpal said: “To solve the biggest challenges the world is facing, we need to think about educating our young people differently and break away from traditional teaching models – any new inspection model needs to support this and over the coming months we look forward to engaging with Ofsted to see how the proposed framework will ensure that young people are equipped not just with academic qualifications, but also with enterprising skills and attributes.
The Institute is currently developing measures that will help schools, colleges and universities assess the impact of personal development of enterprising skills and behaviours.
It is also pulling together input from leaders in enterprise skills and entrepreneurship education to fully respond to Ofsted's framework draft, which is open to consultation until April.
The Aldridge Foundation is a charity that supports ten schools across Britain in communities with levels of high unemployment and income deprivation. These Aldridge Academies have pioneered the implementation of an education approach that encourages teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, risk-taking, determination and passion.
Related news
![A sign with branding of the Future Space lab at UWE's Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/future-space-expansion-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=EA4ACD0587C4C09E99C8DB97E1D4F4F4)
21 May 2024
Growth for tech innovation in Bristol as Future Space expands
UWE Bristol’s award-winning innovation centre, Future Space, has opened its doors to 10,000 square feet of brand-new office and laboratory facilities.
![A woman in a white coat fixes two pieces of metal together](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/skills-pathway410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=11F42508F6DE70F131BD88705947C43F)
18 January 2024
The new programme powering upskilling across the West of England
UWE Bristol have launched a new programme aimed at upskilling workers across the West of England, which aims make it easier to access the knowledge and expertise to boost their careers.
![Members of the judging panel for the UWE Bristol Entrepreneurial Futures Awards (from left to right, seated around a small table): Dr Paul Bennett, Peter Fane and Mark Mason.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/peter-fane-entrepreneurs-donation-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6C003659161233FA9BCF69C01D0D6E8B)
14 December 2023
'Wearable bodyguard' among ten new businesses by young entrepreneurs to receive funding boost
A business developing a ‘wearable bodyguard’ for safer solo journeys is among 10 growing businesses that have received a vital boost, thanks to funding donated by UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane.
![Professor Tom Mitchell](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/tom-mitchell-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=2CAF15A0FCE461801695DCECB402BC16)
04 December 2023
Prestigious fellowship awarded to UWE Bristol academic to fund development of music technology
A UWE Bristol professor has been awarded a fellowship which will fund the development of a radically new approach to digital musical instrument design.
![Three people working on a laptop computer](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/ex-offenders-enterprise-education-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=3C9E37C4020E04600F91A2E8E705575C)
15 August 2023
Former inmates to benefit from enterprise education course shown to reduce reoffending and boost employment
UWE Bristol has successfully secured funding from the City & Guilds Foundation to deliver enterprise education to previously incarcerated people.
![Incubation space at UWE Bristol](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/incubator-enterprise-zone-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=CB83D5178CD72763DADFD106AA087600)
16 May 2023
UWE Bristol expands support for start-ups with new incubation facilities
UWE Bristol has transformed its incubation space on campus, bringing together two technology incubators into one area.
![Solar panel generic image](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/green-skills-solar-panel-generic-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=C22BEDE88AEC9D420CB1B744CEC73E6F)
20 April 2023
UWE Bristol's award-winning green skills programme returns for 2023
Applications are now open for the transformational Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship programme.
![Changemaker podcast graphic light green on dark green](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/changemaker-podcast-graphic-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8A1DA8976415632FF08B883256820E85)
25 January 2023
Changemaker podcast series shines a light on UWE Bristol's champions and catalysts for change
UWE Bristol’s new Changemaker podcast series talks to those tackling global challenges through outstanding learning, research and a culture of enterprise.
![A photograph of Peter Fane](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-donation-from-an-uwe-alum-peter-fane-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=0D6EF402FFDB09ED625678D69ECEBFF7)
13 December 2022
UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane donates £250,000 to University over the next five years
UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane, Executive Chairman of the Nurture Landscape Group, donates £250,000 to University of the next five years.
![Head shots of Ana Lopes, Professor Susan Durbin and Stella Warren.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/durben-warren-lopes-esrc-2022-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=5EE6463FA461D279965F6185961652D4)
03 November 2022
UWE Bristol team wins Impact prize for work on empowering women in aviation
Professor Susan Durbin and her team have won the ESRC 2022 Celebrating Impact Prize for research into women in the UK aviation and aerospace industry.
![Carol Vorderman, Julian Bellamy and Grant Mansfield as panel members on stage.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/bristol-bath-screen-summit-2022-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F7E2196A9679C30F24141C48B25C9532)
03 November 2022
Success for inaugural Bristol and Bath Screen Summit
Showcasing Bristol's city-region as a leading production community, the summit focuses on ways to nurture creative talent and support innovation and diversity.
![A photograph of Dr Jonny Keeling](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-dr-jonny-keeling-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=B19BBB7DA346467AE08C2B13712E6886)
25 October 2022
BBC Natural History Unit's Dr Jonny Keeling appointed Visiting Professor at UWE Bristol
Dr Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU), has been appointed a Visiting Professor for the College of Arts, Technology and Environment at the UWE Bristol.