03 April 2024 , 06:06
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A survey by the National Education Union (NEU) found 82% think the current Ofsted system should be replaced as it has so many problems it ’would be better to start afresh’
More than four out of five teachers think Ofsted should be axed as the schools watchdog is riddled with issues.
A survey by the National Education Union (NEU) found 82% think the current system should be replaced as it has so many problems it "would be better to start afresh". Some 90% think the single-word grading system - where schools are ranked from ’outstanding’ to ’inadequate’ - is unfair.
Just 3% of teachers believe Ofsted is trusted to uphold standards in schools and only 4% think it acts independently of Government. The poll of more than 4,500 NEU teacher members in state schools in England, found 62% said inspections impacted their mental health and 59% said it affected their home life.
Headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life while awaiting publication of a negative Ofsted inspection ( Image: PA)
One teacher said: "Ofsted has created toxic environments resulting in damaging pressure on staff and ending the careers of excellent staff.”
Another said they cried after speaking to an Ofsted inspector, adding: "I was absolutely petrified that I would say something wrong and let the school and my colleagues down. I felt so stressed and overwhelmed by the process."
It comes amid ongoing tensions between the watchdog and schools following the tragic death of primary school headteacher Ruth Perry. Mrs Perry took her own life in 2023 while waiting for a Ofsted report to be published that downgraded her school to "inadequate", the lowest possible rating.
An inquest later ruled that the inspection had contributed to her death. Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver last month launched a public consultation over views on the watchdog. He has said he wants to "mark a new chapter" with the sector, adding that "nothing is off the table".
NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede said: "Ofsted is out of touch and out of favour. As this survey shows, the inspectorate’s reputation has worsened since we last sought members’ views in 2022. No amount of rebranding will eradicate the entrenched view that Ofsted’s days are numbered. If it ever commanded respect, those days are now long gone."
An Ofsted spokesman said: "We inspect schools on behalf of children and their parents, but we are very mindful of the pressures on school staff. We have already made several changes to inspection over the last year, focused on school leaders’ and staff welfare. But we have promised to go further to strengthen confidence in our work.
"That’s why we launched our Big Listen last month. We’re asking parents, children, heads, teachers and other professionals to help shape the way we work in future and make sure all children have the best possible education and life chances."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Our plan to ensure every child benefits from a world-class education is working with 90% of schools now judged to be good or outstanding, up from 68% in 2010.
"Ofsted is central to driving forward that improvement. Their independent inspections are vital to ensuring children are safe in school, parents are informed, and the department is able to intervene where strictly necessary.
"We have worked closely with Ofsted to ensure inspections are conducted with professionalism and compassion. We are supporting Sir Martyn Oliver’s work through the Big Listen, to hear from parents, teachers and education experts to understand where more improvements can be made."