This from Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union. Ed
In a week when Christ the King College Headteacher, Andrew Montrose, expressed disappointment and scepticism with a ‘Requires Improvement’ judgement, Government responded to the Education Select Committee report on Ofsted’s work.
Government ignored the concerns of both. Government failed to allow Ofsted take the opportunity to make significant steps towards meaningful change.
Unnecessary pressure on schools and communities
The refusal to remove simplistic word judgements heaps unnecessary pressure on schools and communities.
Without this local school leader raising the issue more publicly, the ‘Requires Improvement’ judgement would remain the dominant one-dimensional headline.
Positive comments from community
No school’s contribution to their community can be summed up thus, as Christ the King College showed last week. They said, just look at the plethora of “positive comments made by the inspection team during their visit and in the report”. No wonder so many are “sceptical” about these crude simplistic judgements.
Misleading and counterproductive single word conclusions
Headteacher, Andrew Montrose agrees with the NEU, which agrees with Professor Walters, Ruth Perry’s sister. We all wish to build awareness of misleading and counterproductive single word conclusions.
These one- or two-word judgements are hypocritical, self-righteous and overlook the faults and shortcomings from those above.
An alternative should be developed
The cross-party Education Committee recommended that an alternative should be developed, to better capture the complex nature of a school’s achievements.
Yet, Government ministers have ignored this cross-party plea. Why, when it serves no purpose except as a political party convenience?
Change cannot wait because of unrealistic demands and narrow measures – there are clear links to teacher and leader turnover leading to extra pressure on support staff and students.
