Dear Mr Elibank,

Freedom of Information request

Thank you for your freedom of information request, dated 16 March 2010, sent to Ofsted in which you requested the following information:

“…please provide me with a copy of the guidance issued to schools regarding the use of the "Outstanding provider logo".

Please also provide a copy of the guidance/policy regarding the use of your own logo (by your own organisation).”

The Freedom of Information Act

We have dealt with your request in accordance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000.

The first requirement of the Act is for Ofsted to confirm whether it holds the information described within your request. I can confirm that Ofsted holds the information you have requested and this is provided below.

We have attached the most recent guidelines that are issued to providers who have been judged to be outstanding and are therefore able to use the Outstanding Provider logo.

We have also attached Section 2 (Brand signature) of Ofsted's Brand Guidelines concerning usage of the Ofsted logo.

The Ofsted logo is subject to crown copyright and is a registered trademark. As such the logo cannot be reproduced by any body external to Ofsted without written permission. Generally, the only third parties that are entitled to use the Ofsted logo are:

As a government body[Author ID1: at Wed Mar 17 15:17:00 2010 ], Ofsted ha[Author ID1: at Wed Mar 17 15:17:00 2010 ]s to remain impartial [Author ID1: at Wed Mar 17 15:17:00 2010 ]at all times[Author ID1: at Wed Mar 17 15:23:00 2010 ] and as a[Author ID1: at Wed Mar 17 15:24:00 2010 ] result, never endorse[Author ID1: at Wed Mar 17 15:17:00 2010 ]s or recommends commercial products or services[Author ID1: at Wed Mar 17 15:17:00 2010 ]. The use of the Ofsted logo can be interpreted as an endorsement or recommendation. Therefore, the logo should not be used in any way by any commercial company or provider inspected or regulated by Ofsted.

Ofsted will consider requests to use the logo on a case-by-case basis. The logo may only be used once written permission has been received.

If you feel we have not dealt with your request satisfactorily, you can contact me at [email address] to see if these matters can be resolved informally.

Alternatively, if you remain dissatisfied with Ofsted's response or the handling of your request you may request a formal internal review. In order to do this, please write to the following address, explaining what areas of Ofsted's response you are unhappy with:

Email: [email address] or write to:

Head of Information Rights

Legal Services Division

Ofsted

Aviation House

125 Kingsway

London

WC2B 6SE

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you also have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision as to whether or not Ofsted have complied with its obligations under the FOI Act with respect to your request. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

FOI Case Reception Unit

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

Carol Austin

Acting Head of Communications