Parents as inspectors is not the point

3rd February 2012, 12:00am

Parents are not being asked to become surrogate inspectors, as your leader column suggests (“Size matters when parents get too big for their boots”, 27 January). Parents have had the chance to give their views about their child’s school since inspections first started. By allowing them to express their opinions through Parent View, we give them the chance to tell us what they think, and this information contributes to decisions about which schools to inspect and when.

Almost 14,000 parents have responded so far, highlighting things they feel can be improved, but most seem to have been overwhelmingly supportive of their schools. Feedback we have had from schools indicates that they are embracing Parent View. We will report back on it at the end of this academic year.

Jean Humphrys, Director, education and care, Ofsted.