A CALL by Martin Stephen, high master of Manchester grammar school, for a national league table of school inspectors (TES, May 26), based on scores awarded by schools, got a mixed response from heads at the NAHT’s conference in Jersey.
Huw Davies, head of Heath secondary in Runcorn, said : “If the move is towards self-evaluation of schools, monitored externally, then that’s the system that needs to be applied at OFSTED. There’s no self-evaluation in the organisation.”
Brian McNutt, head of Eastway primary on the Wirral, was unconvinced that league tables were the way forward for any part of education - including the inspection process. He said: “It’s taking the process further down th same road. I would sooner take a different road.”
Angeles Walford, head of the Priory Church of England middle school, in Wimbledon, south London, said her inspection had been a positive experience. But she added: “I don’t believe in league tables and grading, but if I’m going to be graded, I have got the right to do the same.”
Sylvia Morris, head of Cathedral primary, in Southwark, London, believes scoring inspectors would provide better feedback on inspections. She said: “The current format for feedback is very limited. It doesn’t ask enough questions about quality. I was fortunate - my school got a quality team. That’s what you want for everybody.”
Over to you, 16