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.