I have just received our small school’s Office for Standards in Education report. There are, of course, issues to be addressed, but on the whole, I am pleased with the report - ethos, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, relationships within and outside the school are mainly good; management is sound.
The curriculum subjects, apart from maths in both early years and key stage 1, which we are addressing anyway, give little cause for concern. “The quality of education is generally sound throughout the school.”
Given the above, why do we then have to be told that “the overall standard of teaching is higher” in one department than the other? Why does OFSTED require this nasty and unnecessary comparison in a two-class school? Morale was high until OFSTED arrived. Is this the way to raise standards?
CAROL EV ROOKWOOD
Providence Cottage
Curtisden Green, Kent
