Union calls for 'desperate change' to help Peterborough teachers
A poll's found teachers to be unhappy with Ofsted's inspection system
A new survey has revealed more than four out of five teachers in England think a new system of inspection should be introduced because Ofsted has "many problems".
In a poll of more than 4,500 of its teacher members in English state schools, the National Education Union (NEU) found 90% said they did not believe single-word judgments were a fair reflection of the performance of a school.
The poll also found 62% feel the inspection system causes them mental ill-health and 59% say it affects their home life.
"There's a desperate need for change"
Philippe Harari's the assistant secretary at the NEU Cambridgeshire branch:
"It reflects what we've seen in schools over a number of years; there's a desperate need for change," he said.
"We have people coming to us totally stressed out, totally anxious, about Ofsted inspections and it's horrible sometimes to see what effect the inspection has on individual teachers.
"There is a clear link between mental health issues and Ofsted inspections because they are very antagonistic, hostile; they're not there saying 'let's work together to make this school a better place'.
"Ofsted doesn't make schools perform better, it makes schools perform worse so it has to be replaced by something fairer and more effective."
Four in five teachers back new inspection system
More than four out of five teachers in England agreed with a statement that Ofsted has so many problems that it "would be better to start afresh with a new system of inspection", a survey suggests.
The findings were released on the first day of the NEU's annual conference in Bournemouth.
Teachers will vote on whether the NEU, the largest teaching union in the UK, should lobby political parties ahead of the next general election to endorse its campaign to "replace Ofsted".
A motion, due to be debated today (Wednesday 3rd), says the union should support members in "balloting for, and taking, strike action" when "mocksteds", deep-dives and excessive workload have arisen through Ofsted pressures.
It comes after Ofsted has come under greater scrutiny after the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.
Last month, Sir Martyn Oliver, chief inspector of Ofsted, said he wanted to "mark a new chapter" with the sector, adding that "nothing is off the table".
Ofsted inspections are 'driving improvement"
A Department for Education spokesperson said 90% of schools are now judged to be either good or outstanding, up 22% in 2010.
"Ofsted is central to driving forward that improvement," the spokesperson said.
"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."