Ofsted’s chief inspector will be urged to scrap the watchdog’s plans for new inspections by the head of a school leaders’ union today.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, will tell its annual conference that the idea that Ofsted’s model is the only way to assess schools is “utter nonsense”.
A consultation closed this week on Ofsted’s plans to move to a new report card system, which would see schools given one of five grades across at least eight evaluation areas.
Mr Whiteman will point to inspection systems in Wales and Northern Ireland as examples of alternative models.
He will say: “Our colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland will be the first to admit their systems aren’t perfect - but the fact they offer something broader and more nuanced than a crude traffic-light system proves there is another way.
“A way that doesn’t pile additional pressure onto an already stretched profession. A way that gives parents meaningful insight into where a school is on its improvement journey.
“And a way that doesn’t leave school leaders worried they’ll be blamed for falling house prices in their neighbourhood, just because an inspector didn’t like a particular process or took issue with how they filed their paperwork.”
Ofsted report card system
In a message to Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, Mr Whiteman will add: “Scrap these proposals. Disabuse yourself of the notion that there’s no alternative. And think again.”
Ofsted’s overall single-word effectiveness grades for schools were scrapped by Labour with immediate effect in 2024.
In a speech earlier this year to the Association of School and College Leaders conference, Sir Martyn said that the proposal for report cards was never going to bring an end to all graded judgements.
Earlier this week, a joint letter to education secretary Bridget Phillipson from education unions, including the NAHT, Ruth Perry’s sister Professor Julia Waters and several former Ofsted inspectors called for a pause on introducing new Ofsted inspections.
The letter warned that the proposed report cards and grading system “failed to address the recommendations of the coroner following the tragic, preventable death of Ruth Perry”.
Ms Perry took her own life in January 2023 after an Ofsted inspection downgraded her school, Caversham Primary in Berkshire, from “outstanding” to “inadequate” based on 51 concerns. A coroner ruled that the Ofsted inspection had contributed to her death.
‘AԴdzٳ crude grading system’
In his speech, Mr Whiteman will add: ”As I said at our 2023 conference, one of the saddest things about learning that a headteacher had taken her own life under the pressure of an Ofsted inspection was how unsurprising it felt to so many in the profession.
“Our own advice line has taken numerous calls over the years from distressed members - some feeling suicidal - because of this ineffective and needlessly punitive system.
“Following Ruth’s death, we were promised change. What we’ve been offered, once you scratch beneath the surface, is more of the same: another crude grading system to hang over the heads of school leaders.”
Mr Whiteman will also use his speech today to make the case for investment to be made in education.
He will say: “After 14 years of hearing about the unaffordable cost of investing in schools, we’re now seeing the unaffordable cost of not investing in them.
“Crumbling buildings. Scarce resources. A SEND system in crisis. And an entire profession paid less in real terms than it was 15 years ago.”
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