Teachers in Essex say new inspection system needed
More than four out of five teachers in England believe a new system of inspection should be introduced.
Last updated 3rd Apr 2024
Teachers in Essex are calling for a new system of inspection to replace Ofsted.
A new survey suggests the majority of teachers (90%) do not believe single-word judgments are a fair reflection of the performance of a school.
A poll of more than 4,500 National Education Union (NEU) members in state schools in England, suggests 62% feel the inspection system causes them mental ill-health and 59% say it affects their home life.
The findings were released on the first day of the NEU's annual conference in Bournemouth.
Teachers will vote on whether the NEU should lobby political parties ahead of the next general election to endorse its campaign to "replace Ofsted".
It’s after Ofsted was under greater scrutiny following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry who took her own life after an inspection downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.
Professor Julia Waters, the sister of Mrs Perry, is due to address the NEU's annual conference on Friday (5 April).
The survey, carried out between February 6 and 20, suggests only 3% of teachers believe Ofsted acts as a "reliable and trusted arbiter of standards" and just 4% believe it acts independently of Government.
More than four in five (82%) agreed with a statement that said Ofsted has so many problems that it "would be better to start afresh with a new system of inspection".
One respondent said: "Ofsted has created toxic environments resulting in damaging pressure on staff and ending the careers of excellent staff."
Another respondent, who cried after speaking to an Ofsted inspector in the last academic year, said: "I was absolutely petrified that I would say something wrong and let the school and my colleagues down.”
Murray Sackwild is the NEU secretary of the Essex branch and a local primary school teacher.
He said: “Ofsted is the biggest creator of workload and the depressing atmosphere around teaching comes from it. It's not to say there shouldn't be any inspection regime, but the nature of Ofsted for so long has been so oppressive, so damaging, that the best step forward is going to be to abolish it altogether and come up with something much better. Something that involves working with teachers.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Our plan to ensure every child benefits from a world-class education is working with 90% of schools now judged to be good or outstanding, up from 68% in 2010.
"Ofsted is central to driving forward that improvement. Their independent inspections are vital to ensuring children are safe in school, parents are informed, and the department is able to intervene where strictly necessary.
"We have worked closely with Ofsted to ensure inspections are conducted with professionalism and compassion. We are supporting Sir Martyn Oliver's work through the Big Listen, to hear from parents, teachers and education experts to understand where more improvements can be made."
What does the Government say?
A Department for Education spokesman said: “Our plan to ensure every child benefits from a world-class education is working with 90% of schools now judged to be good or outstanding, up from 68% in 2010.
“Ofsted is central to driving forward that improvement. Their independent inspections are vital to ensuring children are safe in school, parents are informed, and the department is able to intervene where strictly necessary.
“We have worked closely with Ofsted to ensure inspections are conducted with professionalism and compassion. We are supporting Sir Martyn Oliver’s work through the Big Listen, to hear from parents, teachers and education experts to understand where more improvements can be made.”