By Gavin Mackintosh-
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner, has expressed her concerns about the shifting role of Ofsted, arguing that the organization has moved from being a “critical friend” to “simply a critic.”
Speaking at a fringe event during the Conservative Party conference, Dame Rachel called on the incoming Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, to address the issues that have arisen under his predecessor, and restore balance to Ofsted’s approach.
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Dame Rachel,(PICTURED) a former CEO of the Inspiration Trust academy chain, discussed her personal experience with Ofsted’s inspection process, citing the case of Great Yarmouth Primary Academy.
The school was placed in special measures in 2018, leading to public criticism from Dame Rachel regarding the inspection process.
Reflecting on the experience, she noted that it was not the judgment itself that was most significant but rather the way Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE) handled the situation.
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She described the experience as “humbling and humiliating,” particularly due to the “inadequate” judgment. She highlighted the DfE’s approach, saying, “You know, get it right or we’ll take it off you and give it to someone else.”
Dame Rachel’s comments come at a time when Ofsted has faced criticism following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life before the publication of an inspection report rating her school ‘inadequate.’
She emphasized the need for Ofsted to regain its role as a “critical friend” rather than just a critic. Dame Rachel welcomed the appointment of Sir Martyn Oliver as the new Chief Inspector, likening it to a new Pope who can bring about positive change.
Addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic, Dame Rachel called for Ofsted to keep pace with the work being done by school leaders in areas such as mental health, children’s wellbeing, and communication support.
In addition to the Children’s Commissioner, leadership unions also voiced concerns about the impact of Ofsted inspections. Paul Whiteman from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) highlighted the immense pressure school leaders faced during inspections, describing it as “mental torture” that could last over 12 months. He also expressed concerns about the impact on inexperienced leaders.
Geoff Barton from the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) advised Sir Martyn Oliver to listen to various stakeholders and gather evidence before making significant changes to Ofsted’s approach.
As Sir Martyn Oliver prepares to take on his new role in January, he will face the challenge of restoring confidence in Ofsted and addressing concerns raised by education professionals and organizations.
The role of Ofsted in evaluating and supporting schools remains a topic of ongoing debate within the education sector.
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