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Teachers accuse Ofsted of pandering to Gove over state school criticism Teachers accuse Ofsted of pandering to Gove over state school criticism
(4 months later)
Teachers have reacted angrily to comments from Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools, who on Wednesday said state schools were failing to nurture their brightest pupils.Teachers have reacted angrily to comments from Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools, who on Wednesday said state schools were failing to nurture their brightest pupils.
An investigation of 41 schools found two-thirds of the most advanced pupils entering secondary education did not achieve top GCSE results, which Wilshaw called "an issue of national concern".An investigation of 41 schools found two-thirds of the most advanced pupils entering secondary education did not achieve top GCSE results, which Wilshaw called "an issue of national concern".
But teachers said he was pandering to Michael Gove, the education secretary, and providing misleading, unhelpful and "outrageous" conclusions.But teachers said he was pandering to Michael Gove, the education secretary, and providing misleading, unhelpful and "outrageous" conclusions.
"These conclusions are simply not true and do not stack up with Ofsted's own conclusions that more than two-thirds of schools in this country are good or outstanding," said Chris Keates, general secretary of the Nasuwt teachers union."These conclusions are simply not true and do not stack up with Ofsted's own conclusions that more than two-thirds of schools in this country are good or outstanding," said Chris Keates, general secretary of the Nasuwt teachers union.
She added that the data used came from only 41 secondary schools out of a total of 4,500. "Instead of a sensible debate being opened up by a small study, we are seeing it used to condemn the whole of the state school education system which is quite frankly outrageous.She added that the data used came from only 41 secondary schools out of a total of 4,500. "Instead of a sensible debate being opened up by a small study, we are seeing it used to condemn the whole of the state school education system which is quite frankly outrageous.
"We are not saying that there is not room for improvement, but teachers are working extremely hard to help children of every ability and have very high aspirations," she said. "It is nothing short of scandalous that even as young people are going into school this week to take exams they have been told they are worthless and now they are being told that their teachers have failed them.""We are not saying that there is not room for improvement, but teachers are working extremely hard to help children of every ability and have very high aspirations," she said. "It is nothing short of scandalous that even as young people are going into school this week to take exams they have been told they are worthless and now they are being told that their teachers have failed them."
Keates questioned Wilshaw's impartiality. "The real story here is that the British public can no longer have any confidence in Ofsted, which has been sucked into becoming a glove puppet of the secretary of state for education. These reports are being released in line with a political ideology, to give some sort of legitimacy to a flawed education policy."Keates questioned Wilshaw's impartiality. "The real story here is that the British public can no longer have any confidence in Ofsted, which has been sucked into becoming a glove puppet of the secretary of state for education. These reports are being released in line with a political ideology, to give some sort of legitimacy to a flawed education policy."
Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said using the proportion of pupils who reached level five at the end of primary school – the top level – was not a good indicator of success at GCSE or beyond because primary schools often coached pupils to achieve a level five.Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said using the proportion of pupils who reached level five at the end of primary school – the top level – was not a good indicator of success at GCSE or beyond because primary schools often coached pupils to achieve a level five.
"The idea that the school system is failing because these [children reaching] level fives are not getting top exam grades is a misleading use of data," he said. "It is so demoralising for teachers to be met by these constant attacks, especially when they are based on such flimsy evidence.""The idea that the school system is failing because these [children reaching] level fives are not getting top exam grades is a misleading use of data," he said. "It is so demoralising for teachers to be met by these constant attacks, especially when they are based on such flimsy evidence."
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union, said the evidence given to support the claims was wrong. "KS2 tests results [tests sat at the end of primary school] were not designed as a predictor for GCSEs and many secondary schools re-test pupils in the first year of secondary school to take into account cognitive skills," she said.Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union, said the evidence given to support the claims was wrong. "KS2 tests results [tests sat at the end of primary school] were not designed as a predictor for GCSEs and many secondary schools re-test pupils in the first year of secondary school to take into account cognitive skills," she said.
"Nick Gibb, the former schools minister, stated earlier this week that the pass rate for GCSEs A–A* had gone up from 8% to 20% and that this was unsustainable. Neither the government nor Ofsted can have it both ways. Either schools are improving examination results for all pupils or they are not and the figures clearly show that they are doing so for pupils, including the most academically bright.""Nick Gibb, the former schools minister, stated earlier this week that the pass rate for GCSEs A–A* had gone up from 8% to 20% and that this was unsustainable. Neither the government nor Ofsted can have it both ways. Either schools are improving examination results for all pupils or they are not and the figures clearly show that they are doing so for pupils, including the most academically bright."
Blower said the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance, which was given to deprived pupils to encourage them to stay at school, and the huge increase in university tuition fees had resulted in the erosion of aspirations.Blower said the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance, which was given to deprived pupils to encourage them to stay at school, and the huge increase in university tuition fees had resulted in the erosion of aspirations.
"This is an issue that desperately needs to be addressed," she said. "Cuts to school careers services and a lack of specialist careers teachers should certainly be looked at to ensure that pupils are given the best possible information about choices that are open to them and the qualifications required.""This is an issue that desperately needs to be addressed," she said. "Cuts to school careers services and a lack of specialist careers teachers should certainly be looked at to ensure that pupils are given the best possible information about choices that are open to them and the qualifications required."
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