The threat by headteachers to quit as part-time inspectors unless Ofsted delays and revises its proposed changes to the school inspection system doesn’t go far enough (Headteachers in England threaten to quit as Ofsted inspectors over proposed overhaul, 24 June). At least noncompliance with inspections, or even strike action, should be considered. How on earth is the judgment of schools on a new five-point scale going to improve the life chances of children, as the education secretary apparently believes, let alone solve the problems caused by Ofsted inspections, such as the extreme anxiety they provoke, and the damaging effects they have on teacher recruitment and retention?
With up to 11 areas of each school’s performance and five grades, the danger still exists that some heads of schools will start allocating one to five points, with five for “exemplary”, one for “causing concern”, and multiply them by 11, so that schools with 50-55 points will be seen as “outstanding”, and those below in need of improvement.
What is needed is not a simple shifting of the goalposts like this, but wholesale reform, where inspectors are regarded as allies and advisers rather than aggressive, fault-finding assessors, and where reports do not grade and criticise, but praise, advise and recommend. And can we assume that under our Labour government, intent on breaking down barriers to opportunity, that the new system of inspection will extend to all independent schools as well?
Bernie Evans
Liverpool
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
