Parent View is Ofsted’s new on-line questionnaire that allows parents and carers to give their views on their child’s school at anytime of the year. Ofsted will use the information to help make decisions about which schools to inspect and when. The results will also be available to inspectors at the point of inspection.

Parents' and carers’ perceptions are crucial in coming to a view about the effectiveness of a school. These views will form an essential element of the jigsaw of information Ofsted uses as part of our overall assessment of a school particularly when it comes to making decisions about which schools to inspect and when.

The 12 questions were carefully chosen to ensure that they cover a range of issues which are important to parents but are equally designed to provide Ofsted with the right information to support decisions about inspection. Parents and carers will not be able to reply using free text and Parent View does not replace the current arrangements for raising a complaint or notifying the appropriate body regarding concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child.

Parent View will also give head teachers and schools a direct route into gathering the views of their parent group. Results will be published in real time and will be available on the website for schools, parents/carers and the general public.

A range of measures, including a registration process with password, have been put in place to ensure the security of the website is robust, and will treat schools fairly, while making sure it is accessible for parents to use. Systems are also in place to flag any potential signs of misuse and appropriate action will be taken where this is clear.

If a school has any concerns the headteacher/principal or the appropriate authority should write to Maria Dawes HMI, Principal Officer, Parental Engagement at Parentview@ofsted.gov.uk. If Ofsted suspects a particular survey for a school is being misused it will suspend the page presenting the results while it investigates.