Commenting on the publication of
Ofsted’s Annual Report, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union,
said:
“This is a shocking and unprecedented
annual report from Ofsted – testimony to over a decade of neglect
of education and the services needed by children with SEND,
looked after children and other students who need individual
help. Its conclusions about the deep gaps across the education
workforce are sobering.
“Education and other vital children’s
services are being broken by staffing shortages which leave
services on their knees. Ofsted today reports that staff
shortages are undermining recovery from the pandemic for children
and families. Schools are left as the last public service
standing because support services such as children’s social
workers and mental health services can’t function effectively
because of staff shortages.
“The effects on children at risk and
those with SEND are serious. The services upon which these
children and their parents depend are stretched or disappearing.
The services which schools and colleges need to access to support
their students around special needs or mental health simply
aren’t there. Early intervention can’t function with these
staffing gaps.
“Teacher shortages in schools are
having a hugely detrimental impact on the provision of a broad
and balanced curriculum, enrichment activities, and timely
interventions to support children and young people with
SEND. Ofsted today specifically highlights the shortage of
support staff. The loss of teaching assistants has a huge impact
on tailored support and inclusion and good opportunities for
children with additional or special needs.
“The report shows the damage done to
education and children’s services after a decade of neglect by
this government. DfE ministers cannot evade their
collective and cumulative responsibility for this shocking state
of affairs. They have presided over the corrosive underfunding of
education; real terms cuts to teacher and support staff pay; and
cuts to the services which families in need can’t manage without.
The emotional pressure and worry this puts on the education
workforce isn’t sustainable.
“Ofsted, however, does not escape
responsibility for the problems it describes. Leaders
report that teachers are unable to take national professional
qualifications, proper CPD, and are unwilling to apply for
subject leader posts because they add so significantly to already
excessive workloads. Ofsted is a major driver of
unnecessary intensive and excessive workload. Ofsted is regularly
put forward as the reason why teachers leave schools in
disadvantaged areas. The irony is that Ofsted is fuelling the
very same staff turnover highlighted in their annual report and
which is identified as making recovery after the pandemic harder
than it would be with full staffing
levels.
“England needs an inspection system
that is supportive and fair and which generates improvement
rather than one which is punitive and deeply off-putting to
aspiring leaders.”
