Primary school headteacher quits over government's curriculum reforms with emotional letter

‘How can I lead a school when I do not agree with what is being ‘forced’ upon us?’

Sally Ahmad quit with no job to go to as she wanted to show children that you should stand up for your principles and beliefs (iStock)

A primary school headteacher has hit out at the government’s curriculum reforms, statutory assessments and budget cuts in an emotional resignation letter to parents.

Sally Ahmad, former headteacher of Tickford Park Primary School, in Buckinghamshire, said accountability pressures have made it harder for schools to put children’s wellbeing and happiness first.

Ms Ahmad, who had been in the profession for more than two decades, quit with no job to go to as she wanted to show children that you should stand up for your principles and beliefs.

On the controversial Sats exams, Ms Ahmad told The Independent: “I don’t have an issue at all with assessment but why do we have to put these pressures on children? In Year 6 it is exam conditions. In my opinion it is wrong – these children are 10 or 11.

“I feel that cannot put children’s needs first, and in my opinion that is the most important thing. I would do anything to look after my children but it has become harder and harder to do.”

Earlier this month, The Independent revealed that thousands of parents are expected to withdraw their 10- and 11-year-olds from the Sats exams next month over concerns about their wellbeing.

Ms Ahmad added: “We are already seeing young children coming into school worried and stressed and parents talking about anxiety.

“I worry where these children will be in adulthood because they are already developing mental health difficulties because of the current education system and expectations.”

Ms Ahmad, who wanted to be a teacher since the age of 11, wrote in her resignation letter to parents that changes to the curriculum, unrealistic expectations of statuary assessments, league tables and budget cuts had “changed a child’s experience of primary school”.

She wrote: “I want children to have thoroughly enjoyed their time at school – to have created amazing memories, acquired lifelong skills, made positive friendships, developed a love of all learning and be well on their way to being a valued member of society and the community.

“I feel that schools are no longer encouraged to nurture the ‘whole child’ but have to focus purely on progress and attainment.

“How can I lead a school when I do not agree with what is being ‘forced’ upon us?”

A recent Ofsted inspection labelled the school as “requiring improvement” in four out of six categories. However, the children’s behaviour, happiness and enthusiasm to learn was praised.

Speaking to The Independent about quitting her headship, Ms Ahmad said: “It’s the hardest decision of my life but I teach the children to stand up for what’s right – even if they are standing alone.”

Ms Ahmad said she had begun putting pressure on her teachers to change their timetable to spend more time on maths and English – which meant subjects she valued were being sidelined.

“I started to look at what was happening and what I was saying and doing that I disagreed with, and I just thought I am not setting a good example to my children if I am allowing their education to not be what I believe it should be. It was a very emotional decision,” she said.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The education secretary has been clear that there are no great schools without great teachers so his top priority is to make sure teaching remains an attractive and fulfilling profession.

“That’s why he has pledged to strip away workload that doesn’t add value and we have announced there will be no changes to the curriculum or new tests for primary schools for the remainder of this parliament.”