of Manor Castle (GP): My
Lords, it is a pleasure to associate myself with the remarks of
the noble Baroness, Lady Garden. I do not think that “Ofsteded”
becoming a verb is cause for mirth; it is cause for great
concern. I do not recognise in the comments of the Minister the
statistics from the survey by the National
Education Union in which 62% of teachers said that
Ofsted had affected their mental health. To quote Nick Wigmore, a
primary school teacher from Rochdale:
“Ofsted turns up every four to five years to provide one-word
judgements … It's a system that doesn't work”.
Given that there are huge problems with teacher retention and
mental health issues, do the Government acknowledge that this is
something they need to consider very seriously? I should declare
an interest, in that it is long-term Green Party policy to
abolish Ofsted.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for
Education (Baroness Barran) (Con): I think the noble Baroness has
heard from other noble Lords who are much more expert than I am
of the value of Ofsted. In relation to one-word judgments, it is
extremely important that parents have a simple and clear
understanding—the noble Baroness rolls her eyes, but it is true.
Parents value it. I commend to her the research on parent
opinions about the value of Ofsted reports; they value those
judgments, and it is important that parents are recognised in
this.
To read all the exchanges, OPEN HERE
