Time for a review of Ofsted system?

Consideration of the recent Ofsted report on Beechen Cliff School has surely to begin with a study of the previous one, published only four years ago. This states that Beechen Cliff is an outstanding school. It then lists the four key areas: achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management, and pronounces them all outstanding.

No-one could seriously suggest that, in the four intervening years, with the same excellent headmaster, substantially the same leadership team and staff and the same high level of parental support, the school has declined to “inadequate”. Indeed, I take sufficient interest in the school to know that it has gone from strength to strength in that time.

So what is going on? Well, the explanation is simple enough. Some months ago a very unpleasant incident occurred at the school, which resulted in much bad publicity, and heated questions being asked in Parliament. As a consequence, Ofsted inspectors visited the school. Clearly there was a political imperative that they should give the school a kicking and they have duly obliged.

The result is a report in which the school is unrecognisable. This is a school which has consistently achieved some of the best results for boys in the country. It is held in the highest esteem both within Bath and well beyond. The broader opportunities it offers to pupils are second to none. Yet all this is glossed over. Its few faults (and all schools have them) are exaggerated beyond measure. The report is a travesty.

The outrage felt by the staff, many of whom have children in the school, is witnessed by their wholehearted support for the head. Fortunately, indications are that parents, both existing and prospective, have not been taken in by this nonsense.

Sadly, Ofsted is all too prone to succumbing to political pressure. The country needs an inspection regime which is strong, robust and even handed, and where integrity and independence are paramount. Unfortunately, we do not have it at the moment.