Inspection based on threats and intimidation will not raise standards

ASCL strongly refutes the allegation that schools serving challenging areas are ‘making excuses’ for not achieving results equal to those in less deprived areas. Commenting on Michael Wilshaw’s speech outlining the consultation on changes to Ofsted inspection, Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of ASCL said:

“ASCL agrees with the chief inspector that children have only one chance at an education, and we welcome a sharper focus on the judgements that matter most such as the quality of teaching and learning and student achievement.

“Our big concern is the way that inspection judgements are being made. An inspection system is only fair when a good school in a challenging area has the same chance of a high grade as a good school in less difficult area. This is not about making excuses, it is acknowledging the challenges that schools in disadvantaged areas are dealing with, in addition to raising results.

“Ofsted is progressively making it even more difficult for schools and colleges in challenging areas to be rated good or outstanding. Inspection needs to be done in context. Raw exam results represent young people’s life chances, so of course they are important, but the inspection grade should recognise that schools and colleges in certain areas have a much tougher job to achieve high exam results. If inspection is going to lead to improvement, it needs to be based on mutual trust and respect, not threats and intimidation. Schools will continue to improve if they are given support, resources and encouragement. It is crucial that any school in receipt of the ‘required improvement’ grade is given the tools to bring about improvement.

“We hope that this is the last of a drip fed series of announcements from Ofsted which have only served to confuse and irritate the profession. We understand that the chief inspector wishes to see further rises in standards quickly but if he intends to change the inspection framework he should initiate a review of the inspection process in consultation with the profession. That is the way professionally to go about the task, not to make a series of piecemeal announcement to the media.

“We also hope that the chief inspector will recognise the damaging and demoralising effect his comments are having on dedicated professionals. The message that teachers and heads will take from today’s announcement is that the chief inspector sees them as part of the problem rather than the solution. This is no way to improve our education system, nor to treat hard working professionals who are doing the best for the young people in their care. It will only make it more difficult to recruit and retain good people in those challenging schools that most need strong leadership.”

9 February 2012