What’s the point in fearing school inspectors? By doing so, all we achieve is to make monsters out of them. We build a caricature, an opponent. We sabotage our own practice by creating an insurmountable challenge.
Becoming anxious about something that hasn’t happened or might not happen is counter-productive, isn’t it? It’s not easy to control adrenaline, but the mastery of emotional responses is generally a trait that teachers possess.
There seems to be a real lack of respect for inspectors. Are these previous school leaders really so lacking in expertise and good judgement that whenever they find a weakness they are wrong? Do they really have no clue what they’re talking about? Are they completely out of touch? I’m not so sure.
I once overheard a colleague complaining that her observed lesson didn’t impress. The students had been writing an essay for the duration of the period. They did what she told them and were silent throughout the process. What more did the inspection team want? Well, a lot, I’d venture. I’d be willing to wager my morning coffee that this experienced teacher knew exactly what the inspectors wanted to see, too, and yet she’d chosen not to “play the game”.
And playing the game is what it’s all about, isn’t it? Inspectors only see a snapshot, so give them your best. As experienced members of the education profession, they know that the bells and whistles aren’t out every single lesson, but why wouldn’t you want to show off your skills when you’re being observed? It’s not often that teachers get a chance to be celebrated, so it makes sense to maximise the opportunity.
It’s time that we made a concerted effort to give inspectors the benefit of the doubt - after all, like us, they’re only doing their job.
Sam Tassiker is a secondary teacher in Scotland
