Those who can not teach inspect – and survive

I HAVE worked as a teacher in the classroom, in middle and senior management and in teacher education for a long time, and have, during my career been subject to a number of Ofsted inspections (or its predecessors).

Each time the impending and actual event caused totally unacceptable levels of stress among colleagues, and frequently a feeling of let down and lack of professional confidence afterwards. For me, there was also a clear sense of anger and injustice.

If these people with their clipboards, buzz words, “agendas”, targets, smart suits, posh cars, and comfortable hotel stays are so good at, and know such a lot about, teaching and running schools, why are they not rolling up their sleeves and tackling the job at the chalk face of some of our challenging, usually inner city schools?

The reason is, I believe, that in many cases (though doubtless with some notable exceptions), they would not “survive” in the classroom.

Indeed, many must see the job of inspector as well paid and comfortable escape route from the rigours of life in schools today.