Education Today Education Today Magazine
Responding to the Public Accounts Committee’s report on Ofsted, Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, and chair of the commission on school accountability, said: “With around £44m spent annually on school inspection, it is right that the Public Accounts Committee should continue to focus on value for money and the reliability of Ofsted judgements.
“School leaders expect to be held to account. Children only get one chance at an education and it is absolutely right that arrangements are in place to monitor quality and to take action where problems exist – quite frankly, the stakes are simply too high not to. But accountability systems should always be tested against their ability to improve standards. In the 25 years since Ofsted were formed they have helped transform educational standards in this country. Now, the vast majority of schools are good or better. This changed landscape demands a different approach if Ofsted are to continue to be a force for improvement in education.
“The NAHT-led commission on accountability publishes its own report next Friday. It examines how well accountability arrangements are working and will make recommendations to reduce the negative impacts of the current system and sets an alternative vision for the future of school oversight.”
