The legal action by a union of school leaders – NAHT – is now underway against Ofsted. This follows proposals to change the school inspection system in England. The new formula will look at several important measures to determine the quality of each school. As we noted earlier this summer, educational leaders have been deeply critical of it. The union argues these measures are bound to place dangerous and destructive anxiety on school leaders and prevent fostering an enriching educational atmosphere.
The revised inspection reports will evaluate schools based on four critical areas: quality of education, behaviour and attendance, personal development, and leadership and management. Each of these categories will receive one of five possible grades: causing concern, attention needed, secure, strong, and exemplary. Their simple grading system is intended to make school performance clear. It has been rightly criticized for how its implementation might impact education leaders and school staff.
Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), unloaded on these plans. Unfortunately, he dug in on the proposed changes. He derided them as “yet another crude grading system to dangle over the heads of our leaders.” He called on Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, to call off the plans. Whiteman particularly stressed that a system like this could worsen the extremely difficult climate of schools today.
This hasn’t convinced critics, including Ofsted, to abandon its proposed model altogether. They say that the strategy is intended to make mental health a key component of the hospital inspection process. The agency understands creating a supportive mental health culture is important for students and staff, in return enhancing student development and learning. As noted recently in the Hechinger Report, school leaders remain anxious about this new grading system. They worry that it will exacerbate stress and anxiety levels already experienced by students.
Ruth Perry’s sister has called for the implementation of the new system to be delayed, highlighting the ongoing discussions surrounding the impact of these changes on school communities. This week could prove to be a watershed moment in the national dialogue on educational standards and accountability. The consultation period on Ofsted’s proposed changes already has officially ended.
Ofsted roundly dismissed the union’s legal arguments, calling them “plainly untenable.” So, it was astounding when they took to the airwaves to announce that they were going ahead with the changes that they had proposed. If successful, this legal action stands to significantly change the way that Ofsted conducts its school inspections. It will undoubtedly change the face of education in England forever.
