DOZENS of “outstanding” Essex schools are set to face Ofsted inspectors for the first time since controversial exemptions were axed.

From September, the education watchdog will resume inspecting schools for the first time in almost a decade.

Those deemed outstanding - which include 79 in Essex - will also have to face compulsory routine visits.

Under rules introduced in 2012, outstanding-rated schools became exempt from being routinely reinspected to them more “freedom”.

But the guidelines mean many schools have gone years without being visited by inspectors as a result.

The outstanding schools in Essex include 65 primary schools and 14 high schools.

Ofsted recently inspected Colchester Royal Grammar School following hundreds of abuse allegations.

In the damning report, published earlier this week, inspectors downgraded the school to “inadequate” after they found pupils were subject to sexist and racial comments from their peers.

The report said: “Pupils are too reluctant to report behaviours which upset or worry them.

“Leaders do not know the extent to which a negative culture has become prevalent among some pupils.

“Leaders need to make sure pupils feel confident in passing on their concerns to adults in school.”

This is the first time Ofsted fully inspected the school since 2007.

Former student Scarlett Mansfield, 26, was the catalyst for the recent inspection after sending Ofsted 200 abuse allegations from pupils.

After reading the Ofsted findings she said: “All I want to do is reduce the number who experience harassment and assault.

“There needs to be a clear sign that this behaviour will not be accepted and the administration needs to desperately change.”

Headteacher John Russell said the school will listen to what the inspectors found and continue to act on that.

Other outstanding Colchester schools set to be inspected include, The Gilberd School and Colchester County High School.

Ofsted’s chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, said: “We had long called for the exemption for outstanding schools to be lifted.

“I am very pleased that all schools will now be inspected routinely once our full inspection programme restarts this autumn. This is what parents expect and children deserve.

“This change will reassure parents and ensure the ‘outstanding’ judgment itself remains a genuine beacon of excellence.”

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.