The threat of headteachers to stop as part-time inspectors if not taken changes to the school inspection system is not very large (England’s headteaches threaten to stop as inspection inspectors suggested overhaul, 24 June). At least unreliable in inspections, or even strike action, should be considered. How the soil is judging schools on a new five-point scale to improve on Chances of Life In children, as the secretary of education apparently believes, to solve problems caused by inspections, such as severe anxiety that they challenge teacher recruitment and maintenance?
With up to 11 areas of each school’s performance and five grades, the danger still exists that some heads of schools will start allocating one to five for “exemplary”, and that schools with 50-55 points will be seen as “outstanding”, and Those below in need of improvement.
What is needed is not a simple shifting of the goalposts like this, but wholesale reform, where inspectors are regarded as allies and advisers rather than aggressive, fault-finds do not grade and criticise, but praise, advise and recommend. And do we think that under our work government, seek to break up the barriers once, with the new inspection system also reaches all independent schools?
Bernie Evans
Liverpool
