“Confusing” and “cumbersome” – I agree with the response of school leaders to the suggested grading of schools (Schools in England could be judged on scale of colours in Ofsted proposals, 15 November). Ofsted’s mindset is still in crime-and-punishment mode. A hierarchy of coloured judgments is still judgment but spread around a bit. Just “good enough” or “not good enough” would stop the creation of an elite group of state schools that are well provided for and found in the most prosperous places to live.
Schools serving disadvantaged communities are desperate for the recognition of the challenges they face, challenges excluded from Ofsted reports. Inspections for state schools ought to be about improvement and professional learning, not something done to the school but with the school.
Rather than grading, threatening and punishing the very people – teachers – who care very much about young people, inspections should be a joint professional endeavour. Reports should state things that schools do well and where there could be improvement, and end with some encouraging remarks.
Dr Robin C Richmond
Bromyard, Herefordshire
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