Commenting on UCL research on school accountability and teacher
stress, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of
School and College Leaders, said:
“This research provides yet more evidence that our excessive
school accountability system is counterproductive. Performance
tables and Ofsted inspections do more harm than good in their
current form. As well as causing high levels of stress - which
contribute to teacher shortages - they also stigmatise struggling
schools and make it more difficult to attract staff and pupils.
“We are not arguing for no accountability, but for proportionate
accountability. The current system needs to be overhauled so that
it is less punitive. Performance tables should provide parents
with a broader range of information beyond the government’s
narrow obsession with complex metrics around tests and exams.
There is so much more to schools.
“We note the findings that there are some schools where the
stress caused by accountability is a particularly big problem.
School leaders are very conscious of the importance of being
careful about how performance data is used, and they work very
hard to support their staff. However, it is impossible to
insulate staff from the impact of adverse performance tables and
inspections. It is horrible to be on the receiving end of a
negative judgement, and is demoralising not only for staff, but
for pupils, parents, and wider communities.”
