‘worked with sensitivity’ my arse. They did a hatchet job on this school. Ofsted is not fit for purpose.
Something very disingenuous about not speaking to the family and giving the reason of not wanting to intrude on their grief. There’s a chasm between expressing condolence and intruding on grief.
She also mentioned they haven’t reached out, as if they’re a corporate entity or pr firm. Bizarro world stuff.
I recognise that Ofsted inspections can be very stressful, and it’s possible that some proportionate reform could be in order – though I’m not sure what that should be.
However, I also think that if you want the extra pay, social status and control that comes with being a headteacher, then you have to be able and willing to shoulder headteacher responsibility.
Being a headteacher is a serious, responsible role. Schools must be subject to oversight, and unannounced inspections are an important part of this – otherwise it’s too easy to sweep shortcomings under the rug on inspection day. Ultimately, if the school is falling short the headteacher has to be the person who takes final responsibility and is held accountable for this.
If you are unable or unwilling to shoulder this responsibility, then being a headteacher simply isn’t for you. Not every teacher is cut out to be a headteacher, just as not everyone is cut out for a serious, responsible role in society.
It’s tragic that this lady killed herself over the stress of Ofsted inspections, but we can’t lower the standards or end unannounced inspections in response.
Schools are broken. In a lot of cases they teach you to pass an exam, not to be proficient in the actual subject. Languages and History especially are just memorisation of things to pass an exam.
We all knew, the students included, that inspections were as facetious as a headteacher reviewing a teachers class.
5 comments
‘worked with sensitivity’ my arse. They did a hatchet job on this school. Ofsted is not fit for purpose.
Something very disingenuous about not speaking to the family and giving the reason of not wanting to intrude on their grief. There’s a chasm between expressing condolence and intruding on grief.
She also mentioned they haven’t reached out, as if they’re a corporate entity or pr firm. Bizarro world stuff.
I recognise that Ofsted inspections can be very stressful, and it’s possible that some proportionate reform could be in order – though I’m not sure what that should be.
However, I also think that if you want the extra pay, social status and control that comes with being a headteacher, then you have to be able and willing to shoulder headteacher responsibility.
Being a headteacher is a serious, responsible role. Schools must be subject to oversight, and unannounced inspections are an important part of this – otherwise it’s too easy to sweep shortcomings under the rug on inspection day. Ultimately, if the school is falling short the headteacher has to be the person who takes final responsibility and is held accountable for this.
If you are unable or unwilling to shoulder this responsibility, then being a headteacher simply isn’t for you. Not every teacher is cut out to be a headteacher, just as not everyone is cut out for a serious, responsible role in society.
It’s tragic that this lady killed herself over the stress of Ofsted inspections, but we can’t lower the standards or end unannounced inspections in response.
Schools are broken. In a lot of cases they teach you to pass an exam, not to be proficient in the actual subject. Languages and History especially are just memorisation of things to pass an exam.
We all knew, the students included, that inspections were as facetious as a headteacher reviewing a teachers class.
Everyone.