Community welcomes landmark reform to the Ofsted schools inspection system in England.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has today announced an end to single-word, high-stakes judgements on schools. In their place, the government will be consulting on new report cards which will provide a more comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing.
Helen Osgood, Community’s National Officer for Education and Early Years, said:
“Community welcomes the changes announced by the Secretary of State regarding Ofsted. Ofsted reform is something that Community has long campaigned for.
“This announcement will go some way to removing pressure off a workforce, who for too long have operated under the harsh single headline grades system. The school report card will better identify areas for development and will ensure a more supportive approach to Educators up and down the country. Community looks forward to taking part in the consultation on report cards and and making sure our members have a system that works for them and for the children that they teach.”
Martin Hodge, Head of Education Policy for Community, said:
“This announcement fulfils Labour’s manifesto pledges and the commitments made by Bridget Phillipson at our sector conference.
“We support the changes being proposed and look forward to engaging with government to shape the new report cards. We’re also encouraged by the idea of support from the DfE regional teams which has the potential to improve schools so that even fewer fall into a category where intervention and forced academisation is required.”
Community is the union for education and early years professionals: representing teachers, headteachers, education, school support staff and early years staff. With over fifty years’ experience, we represent members and campaign to improve conditions for education and early years professionals. We are a modern trade union, campaigning for a better working world.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
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