Stress in schools over inspection 'war footing'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Schools have been put on a permanent "war" footing by the new no-notice inspection regime, according to a report out today.
A survey of almost 3,000 teachers reveals 96 per cent now believe inspections by the education standards watchdog, Ofsted, are pushing up stress levels in the profession. That compares with only 27 per cent in a similar survey six years ago.
Chris Keates, head of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, which ran the survey, is urging MPs to hold an inquiry into the way the inspection system works.
Under the new system, schools only hear the night before when inspectors are due to visit them. And if they fail to achieve a "good" ranking they can be forced into becoming academies. Ofsted said yesterday it was just "not acceptable" for a school to be "less than good".
Delegates at the NUT conference today will debate a call to boycott school inspections, though the union's leaders warns that would be illegal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments