Union warns Cambridgeshire teachers need time to cope with Ofsted changes
It says more must be done to help teachers combat mental health issues
Last updated 3rd Sep 2024
A union representing teachers in Cambridgeshire is calling for change in schools to help staff with their mental health.
The NASUWT has told us report cards being used in schools in England next year rather than single word ratings may not have a lasting impact on how staff feel about working in the profession.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said single-phrase inspection headline grades for schools in England are being scrapped with immediate effect as they cannot capture "the entire essence of a school".
She said the death of headteacher Ruth Perry made the need for reform of the inspectorate "absolutely clear".
Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, "outstanding", to its lowest rating, "inadequate", over safeguarding concerns.
In December, a coroner concluded the Ofsted inspection in 2022 contributed to Mrs Perry's death.
Mark Burns is from the NASUWT:
"It will improve (mental health stigma) to some extent; it will feel to some people there are less high stakes to an inspection," he said.
"But realistically how an ordinary classroom teacher feels about that is very dependent on how their school leaders behave.
"Mental health implications have very significant impact on teachers and therefore the students; if we get better mental health for our staff, we'll get better outcomes for our students."
Mr Burns said he fears for the state of teachers' mental health overall and wants those in the profession to adapt to any key changes such as the latest Government move.
He added: "The world of work is massively changing; if teachers aren't given the time or the flexibility to make these changes, the mental health situation will only worsen."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he thinks a lot of parents "will be really relieved" to have a "richer picture, more accountability and that you've got a Government that is absolutely determined to drive up standards".
How are school inspections changing?
As part of the reform, schools will no longer be issued with one of four headline grades for overall effectiveness - outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate - when inspected.
This academic year, parents will still be able to see the four grades across the existing sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
But in a report from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) earlier this year, 94% of teachers cited high workload as a reason for considering to leave the industry.
The report also said ambitious and "radical" actions are urgently needed to address teacher recruitment and retention challenges.
What do other unions think?
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union the NAHT, said: "We have been clear that simplistic one-word judgments are harmful and we are pleased the Government has taken swift action to remove them."
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, also backed the scrapping of headline grades but believes Ofsted "needs to be abolished and replaced.
"Ofsted is toxic for teachers and school leaders, and no amount of rebrand or reform will help Ofsted win back the trust of the profession.
"We need to see Ofsted replaced with a system of accountability that fosters a culture of collaboration between all stakeholders. One that creates a culture of trust, transparency and a shared responsibility for the quality of education."
What does the Government say?
Speaking after yesterday's announcement of the scrapping of single headline Ofsted judgement, Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary said:
“The need for Ofsted reform to drive high and rising standards for all our children in every school is overwhelmingly clear. The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents, and teachers.
“Single headline grades are low information for parents and high stakes for schools. Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing – that’s what our report cards will provide.
“This government will make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement. We promised change, and now we are delivering.”
The reform is said to 'pave the way' for the introduction of School Report Cards from September 2025, a scheme supported by 77% of parents, according to the Government.