Poor record no bar for heads to be inspectors

12th November 2004, 12:00am

Share

Poor record no bar for heads to be inspectors

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/poor-record-no-bar-heads-be-inspectors
Heads of failing schools are sitting in judgement on other schools as inspectors, the Office for Standards in Education has admitted.

As Ofsted continues its investigation into an inspector accused of incompetence as a headteacher, it revealed that staff who lead schools into special measures could still become inspectors.

Former teachers in management roles who apply to join the inspectorate have to declare if their schools were judged to be failing by Ofsted. A spokeswoman said: “In such cases, applicants must set out reasons why they still fulfil the requirements to be considered suitable to be trained in inspection skills. Consideration of the applicant’s circumstances is then made to determine suitability.”

A recently registered inspector, whose school went in and out of special measures while she was head, said that Ofsted does not question applicants about these statements.

Ofsted has banned 43 people from inspecting in 10 years following school complaints or because internal reviews identified repeated irregularities in their reports.

David Bell, chief inspector, has claimed that inspectors are under as much scrutiny as schools.

But Professor Ted Wragg, from Exeter university, said Ofsted procedures needed to be tightened. “We expect that those who inspect have been thoroughly vetted. To become an inspector you should be grilled on your record, so you can earn the respect which is an important part of getting teachers to change their behaviour,” he said.

But there should not be a ban on inspectors being drawn from failing schools, many of which contain very good teachers, he said.

news 8

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared