Ofsted should place blame where it really lies

Ofsted has an absolute nerve to announce that "more than a hundred schools have not improved for over a decade", as if it was their fault (Morning Star, 14/12/17). Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector, also showed  concern for the treatment of some of the UK`s disadvantaged children by saying that the practice of "off-rolling is an invidious example" of schools losing sight of the purpose of education. It is all very well for politicians like Andrew Adonis to call for a ban on what he called "the cancer of school expulsions", and on manipulated admissions, but as long as both the main focus of Ofsted and the government is on examination results, and Tory governments continue to underfund state sector education, schools have hugely difficult choices to make.

      "Difficult children", and those with special needs, require urgent and careful attention, but how can schools afford the cost of such requirements? Perhaps Ms Spielman would prefer pupils with behaviour issues to sit in with the GCSE pupils, but what would her inspectors say of the lesson which was constantly interrupted, or of the school with subsequently declining results? Schools employing specialist teachers, or setting up their own referral-units, have to make sacrifices elsewhere, which often means subject like drama and dance being dropped from the curriculum.

       Ofsted does enjoy a "unique overview" and has the ability to "speak truth unto power"; it should be placing the blame where it really lies, with the government and its failure to fund state schools and their teachers adequately!