Rotherham NEU: Ofsted 'not fit for purpose' anymore
The body's due to resume inspections at schools and further education settings across England from today
As Ofsted inspections start again at schools in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire - there are concerns the body isn't 'fit for purpose' anymore.
They were on hold - so inspectors could receive mental health awareness training - in the wake of Headteacher Ruth Perry's death in Reading last year.
Colin Price is the Branch Secretary for the National Education Union in Rotherham:
"An Ofsted judgement in a place like Rotherham can sometimes lead to house prices falling in certain suburbs.
"All these judgements do is downgrade entire areas.
"I don't think there will ever be a right time for Ofsted to take back up the mantle of being the inspectorate, because we don't need that kind of inspectorate anymore.
"We don't need a judgemental inspectorate; we need expertise, support, and guidance.
"The idea that one week's training is going to fix the issues in Ofsted is ludicrous."
The Department for Education says over 3,000 full & part-time inspectors have started to receive mental health awareness training this year.
You can read more on the government's plan below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/school-and-further-education-inspections-to-begin-from-22-january