Commenting on remarks made by the incoming Chief Inspector that the return of routine inspections will be delayed, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Sir Martyn Oliver's announcement of a pause in school inspections signals that the Chief Inspector recognises that it is now time for Ofsted to listen to the voice of educators and their unions. The pause should be the start of a root and branch reform of school inspection.
“Our present system is inconsistent, unfair and unsuccessful in promoting school improvement. Ofsted is a harmful presence in our schools and needs to be replaced with a collaborative system that truly reflects a rounded picture of the work of schools. Parents, students and teachers all deserve better.
“The independent Beyond Ofsted report, commissioned by the NEU and led by an independent expert panel chaired by Sir Jim Knight, shows all too clearly that the current regime is not fit for purpose and Ofsted is out of touch with the profession.”
Editor’s Note
Beyond Ofsted report, published November 2023: https://beyondofsted.org.uk/