So it’s official: Ofsted publicly announces that it uses ratings as a weapon and a threat, with its leader Michael Wilshaw warning school leaders that they risk their school being judged inadequate for the one transgression against his opinion of allowing the full veil to be worn by staff and pupils (Ofsted to get tough on schools that allow girls to wear full veil, 27 January).
A single issue of this kind then, whatever that may be, ignores and damns all else which happens in the complex fabric of an educational establishment. The achievements of pupils and staff alike are discounted.
This is very serious. On what other single ground of opinion can ratings be arbitrarily handed out? The consequences for a school today of being labelled inadequate are literally catastrophic – jobs and whole schools are at risk, misery and further staff shortages being inflicted on pupils are inevitable. This has to stop. Legitimate ways need to be used to regulate schools, ones which prevent damage, not inflict it.
Ofsted needs to be reformed; no part of its purpose is to threaten as Wilshaw is shockingly happy to advertise that it does, issuing ratings not based on school performance.
Jane Price
Minehead, West Somerset
• With regard to the looming headteacher shortage and the observation by Michael Wilshaw about planning for succession (Headteacher shortage looms as role loses appeal, 26 January), simple factors seem to be ignored: the ease with which headteachers can be removed from their post following a failed Ofsted; soaring inner-city house prices; continuous change in the curriculum from the present government. These factors act as a positive deterrent for senior leaders to become headteachers.
Consider this scenario: if you are a fortysomething deputy headteacher with a £150,000 mortgage and three children all of school age, and you are working in a good school, would you take the risk of moving to a school as a headteacher where you could be put out of a job within a couple of years?
Ofsted is the problem – it’s too punitive and makes scapegoats out of professional teachers. We all want very high standards in our schools, but inspection should be supportive and progressive.
I speak as a senior leader survivor of four “good” Ofsteds.
Linda Karlsen
Whitstable, Kent
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
