ATL comment on Ofsted’s FE and skills inspections and outcomes

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “Teachers and lecturers work extremely hard to deliver good quality outcomes for their learners and they are doing so in very challenging circumstances, as this Ofsted report implies.

“ATL is concerned that there has been a large decrease in the number of ‘good’ ratings of colleges, which, we believe, is a result of the turmoil within the sector caused by Government policies. The Area Reviews have wreaked havoc in colleges, with data collection and restructure proposals hugely distracting leadership from the business of teaching and learning. Draconian budgets cuts and staff recruitment and retention crises are negatively impacting learners’ experience in colleges and this has been made even worse by the Government’s damaging requirement that young people continue to re-sit maths and English GCSE against their will. 

“ATL hopes that the Government learns from this report – colleges are on their knees and policymakers must start listening to the teachers and lecturers who are dedicated to improving the life changes of the young people and adults they work with.”