MORE than a dozen "outstanding" Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole schools are set to face inspectors for the first time since controversial exemptions were axed.

From September, Ofsted will resume inspecting schools across the country and for the first time in almost a decade, those deemed outstanding will also face compulsory routine visits.

Figures from the education watchdog, covering 90 of the conurbations primary and secondary schools, show that 20 received an outstanding rating the last time they were inspected.

Under rules introduced in 2012, those schools became exempt from being routinely reinspected and only faced scrutiny if concerns were raised about their performance.

Councillor Nicola Greene, BCP Council's portfolio holder for education, said: “All formerly exempt schools must now be inspected before August 1, 2027.

"One of the key areas schools will be judged on is 'quality of education'; this puts the curriculum at the heart of everything a school does.

“Since the new framework was published in September 2019, all schools across the BCP area have strived to offer a deep and rich curriculum that not only focuses on the knowledge and skills that pupils will gain, but also on the development of their pupils' character.

“The re-inspection of outstanding schools in BCP will bring assurance to communities that their schools are still providing an exceptional education.”

The exemptions were introduced by the then Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition Government to give outstanding schools more freedom.

However, guidelines mean many schools across England have gone years without being visited by inspectors as a result.

According to the latest Ofsted figures, the outstanding educational facilities in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole include 13 primary schools and seven secondary schools.

The coronavirus pandemic saw the organisation suspend all routine inspections, but in line with the lifting of restrictions across the country, inspectors will begin their visits again in September.

All formerly exempt schools must be inspected within the next five years and Ofsted will prioritise schools that have gone the longest without an inspection.

The outstanding schools identified by Ofsted and facing reinspection in BCP Council area are: Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Broadstone First School, Canford Heath Infant School, Christchurch Infant School, Elm Academy, Glenmoor Academy, Jewell Academy Bournemouth, Lilliput Church of England Infant School, Magna Academy, Manorside Academy, Merley First School, Mudeford Junior School, Parkstone Grammar School, Pokesdown Community Primary School, Queen’s Park Academy, Springdale First School, Stourfield Infant School, Twynham School and Winton Academy.