Parkinson Lane headteacher submits an Ofsted complaint

PARKINSON LANE School in Halifax has submitted an official complaint to Ofsted after being told it requires improvement in its latest report

The school is rated good in behaviour and attitudes and personal development, but has been told it falls short in early years provision, leadership and management and the quality of education.

But headteacher Gugsy Ahmed siad he was appalled and profoundly disappointed at the way Ofsted conducted its inspection.

“I have been a headteacher for a very long time and have been fortunate enough to lead a fabulous team of outstanding, committed staff for nearly two decades,” he said. “The school has been judged outstanding for much of that time.

“My disappointment with the Ofsted process and its new Education Inspection Framework is profound. Inspectors came in with a very negative view of the school based on data outcomes in the early years and key stage 1. These tests show our children are below national average - thanks for stating the obvious. We didn’t need these tests or Ofsted to tell us this.

“The children arrive at school with a very underdeveloped first language, let alone English, – many are not potty trained and lack social skills appropriate to a child of five years old. To expect them to attain national average by the end of the year is delusional, although great strides are made.

“The tests are internally marked, but Ofsted only look at the headline data and don’t deep dive into the observations and challenging conversation behind this detail.

“It is preposterous to state that standards in school have declined.

In response to the Ofsted report we have raised a factual inaccuracy check. The lead inspector responded in what seemed like 15 minutes dismissing the factual inaccuracy with minimal comments.

“As a result, we have had no choice but to raise an official complaint based on accuracy linked to the Ofsted statements, code of conduct and the inspection evidence base.

“As an ex Ofsted inspector I am appalled and embarrassed by this team. Inspections conducted in this manner will do nothing but to demoralise and run education into the ground.

“We put our trust in the complaints system to put things right.

“However, if anyone would like to visit Parkinson Lane School please get in touch. I would be most happy to show you around. I’m certain you will see a very different school to the picture that the Ofsted report portrays.”