The Chair of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust is the latest person in authority to take exception to the “ill informed and discriminatory comments” made by chair of Ofsted, David Hoare.
Mr Hoare incorrectly stated at a conference in Leeds last month that the low educational attainment on the Isle of Wight was due to a “mass of crime and drug problems”, that there was “inbreeding” and inches from the Royal Yacht Squadron people were living in a ghetto.
The Times: DfE asked Hoare to apologise
The Times reported David Hoare was asked by the Department for Education to apologise, which he has now done.
He has also agreed to come to the Island to learn more about the issues we’re faced with.
Hoare’s comments could affect vital recruitment
Eve Richardson, Chair of Isle of Wight NHS Trust said:
“As the Chair of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, the largest employer on the Island, I took great exception to the Chair of Ofsted’s ill informed and discriminatory comments.
“However I welcome the joint statement from Mr Hoare and Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Bacon and I too would be very keen to meet Mr Hoare.
“Within our organisation we have a highly skilled and very diverse workforce with over 13% from other countries. We are currently looking to recruit highly skilled clinicians and a range of other experts to fill some really key posts on the Island.
“Mr Hoare’s remarks will not encourage applicants to consider these important roles to meet the healthcare needs of all of the residents here on the Island.”
Recruitment drive
She went on to say,
“Our plans include encouraging people to come and live as well as work on the Island and to feel confident that there are appropriate schools and services for their children.
“There are a range of schools that have improved significantly since the last Ofsted inspection in June 2014, some assisted by Trust staff.
“These inappropriate and ill-judged remarks will not only affect our key recruitment plans, they will have caused dismay to teachers who also may want to move to the Island making it even more of a challenge to attract the quality of staff in education, health and social care that the Island deserves and needs.”
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Auntie P
