Headmaster says Ofsted should be abolished with no 'buy-in' from teachers amid report row
A headmaster whose school has been at the centre of a dispute with Ofsted over an inspection report says the watchdog needs "radical reform" or should be "abolished".
Thomas Telford School and Ofsted have been at loggergheads over the findings of inspectors from their visit last December.
The report downgraded the school from 'outstanding' to 'good', after it fell short of full marks in one section, receiving only a 'good' rating in the leadership and management category – a decision based primarily on the inspectors' concern over the way absences and exclusions are recorded at the school.
The governors had sought an injunction on publication of the inspection report, pending the outcome of a request for a Judicial Review – which is ongoing.
The school takes in large numbers of pupils from Wolverhampton each year.
But Ofsted challenged the injunction earlier this month, with a judge ruling in its favour, allowing the publication of the report.
Thomas Telford's Headmaster, Sir Kevin Satchwell, has said he believes Ofsted should face either major reform, or be "abolished".
He said: "The major issue is that you can’t succeed by providing a public service where there is overall no ‘buy in’ from the key constituents it affects – teachers."
Sir Kevin had heavily criticised Ofsted following the court's ruling, with the headmaster saying the school had been wrongly accused of operating illegally for two days during the inspection.
