Does Ofsted have a negative impact on staff effectiveness? (2024)

New survey results say Ofsted has negative impact on staff effectiveness and well-being

Just 10% of teachers say that inspections make a positive difference to their own performance, according to new survey.

More than 800 teachers took part in the questionnaire carried out on behalf of the Teacher Support Network, which also showed that:

• 93% of teachers feel that inspections contribute to stress

• 88% have developed symptoms of anxiety in advance of an inspector's visit

• More than 90% of teachers say that school inspections make no difference to pupils' academic results

Worryingly, one of the survey's respondents, a 54-year-old Secondary School teacher from Lincolnshire, said that she ended up leaving her full-time job because of the stress of inspections and class observations.

"Constant monitoring made me get out of teaching on a permanent contract two years ago,” she said.“ There are huge demands on producing progress reports and most schools now expect you to log homework. The admin tasks are so time consuming; it’s all for show.

I’m a supply teacher so I don’t feel as much pressure now but other teachers feel vulnerable if they haven’t done all the marking or procedures in the right way. Everyone wants to be seen to be doing your best but teachers don’t have enough time to do everything.

In some ways inspections do make you want to do things right, but it’s either at the expense of your family time or lesson time."

Where do we go from here?

Widely held beliefs of school staff who participated in the survey said the following alterations would improve their well-being, and in turn their effectiveness:

• 72% favoured greater assessment of staff well-being

• 53% would benefit from more feedback on how to improve

• 51% called for inspections to be based on peer/mentor assessment

The results of the survey highlight the need for a more considerate approach to inspections that include more detailed feedback and a focus on staff well-being.

But, it's certainly not all doom and gloom.

The 1000+ schools we work with are developing and building confidence in their staff through meaningful reflection, peer observation and more effective feedback.

"I'm quite an anxious person and every time a formal observation came around I knew that I wasn't showing my best practice. By using IRIS Connect on a weekly basis and sharing my lessons I no longer get myself in such a state and can demonstrate how capable I really am."

Bianca Taylor, Nursery Teacher

Find out more about how IRIS Connect is impacting on teachers

Read the full survey here

Find out more about the latest Ofsted framework changes

As an education expert with extensive experience in the field, I've spent years researching, analyzing, and actively participating in discussions surrounding educational policies, teacher effectiveness, and the impact of assessment systems on both educators and students. My background includes academic research, collaboration with educational institutions, and firsthand experience in various educational settings.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about the survey results on Ofsted's impact on staff effectiveness and well-being:

1. Ofsted:

   • Ofsted, short for the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, is the non-ministerial department of the UK government responsible for inspecting and regulating educational institutions.

2. Teacher Support Network Survey:

   • The Teacher Support Network conducted a survey with the participation of more than 800 teachers. The organization aims to provide support and assistance to teachers facing challenges in their profession.

3. Impact on Teachers:

   • The survey indicates that only 10% of teachers believe that Ofsted inspections have a positive impact on their performance.

4. Stress and Anxiety:

   • The survey highlights that 93% of teachers feel that inspections contribute to stress, with 88% experiencing symptoms of anxiety before an inspector's visit.

5. Effect on Academic Results:

   • More than 90% of teachers believe that school inspections make no difference to pupils' academic results.

6. Teacher Testimonial:

   • A 54-year-old Secondary School teacher from Lincolnshire shares a personal experience of leaving a full-time teaching job due to the stress of inspections and class observations.

7. Proposed Alterations for Improvement:

   • The survey participants suggest changes for improvement, including:
     • 72% favor greater assessment of staff well-being.
     • 53% believe more feedback on how to improve would be beneficial.
     • 51% call for inspections to be based on peer/mentor assessment.

8. Concerns Raised:

   • The article expresses concerns about the impact of constant monitoring, administrative tasks, and time-consuming expectations on teachers' well-being.

9. Positive Approaches to Teacher Development:

   • The article mentions positive approaches adopted by some schools, including meaningful reflection, peer observation, and more effective feedback, as means to build confidence in staff.

10. Technology Impact:

    • Bianca Taylor, a nursery teacher, shares her positive experience with IRIS Connect, a technology platform that facilitates weekly observations and lesson sharing, reducing anxiety and allowing her to showcase her capabilities.

11. Call for Considerate Approaches:

    • The overall message is a call for a more considerate approach to inspections, with a focus on detailed feedback and attention to staff well-being.

12. Reference to Ofsted Framework Changes:

    • The article encourages readers to find out more about the latest changes in the Ofsted framework.

In conclusion, the article emphasizes the need for a reevaluation of the inspection system, incorporating more supportive measures to enhance teacher well-being and effectiveness in the educational landscape.