Friday 27 December 2013

Everybody expects the Ofsted Inquisition


Everybody expects the Ofsted Inquisition

letters | Published in TES magazine on 6 December, 2013 | By: Victoria Jaquiss
I see that the Inquisition has found its way to Nottingham, with schools inspectorate for England Ofsted blasting the whole town. You have to conclude that if so many groups of dedicated, experienced and trained professionals aren't getting the right answers, then Ofsted is probably asking the wrong questions.
There is more to life than exam results and academic success. Parents are obliged to send their children to school, and the least they can expect is that the school will take care of all their needs - social, personal, academic, sporting, creative. Children should not all be asked to jump through the same hoops. They have different requirements and different abilities.
Especially in a world when a job is not guaranteed, it is more important than ever that the personal and creative needs of every child are addressed. And it's high time that we all stood up to this government, refused to set Sats exams and refused entry to Ofsted at the school gates.
Whatever its original purpose, Ofsted is now a thoroughly nasty instrument of government, keeping us all in a state of terror. We ask our children not to give in to bullies, so why do we?
Victoria Jaquiss, Teacher and fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

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