Ofsted scrapping 'satisfactory' in school inspections "unsatisfactory"

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 12:54 PM

Voice: the union for education professionals – which represents teachers, head teachers and support staff – has commented on Ofsted's plan to scrap the "satisfactory" judgement in school inspections and replace it with "requires improvement".

General Secretary Philip Parkin criticised the idea as "unsatisfactory": "Being 'satisfactory' is less demoralising than 'requires improvement' and, by implication, a classification such as 'satisfactory' needs improving upon.

"No school - even if it is given an 'outstanding' grade by Ofsted - is entirely perfect and, it could be argued, 'requires improvement'.

"However, such a designation is likely to drive parents away, reduce numbers at the school, put additional pressure on other schools and make it even harder to improve than it would if it had been graded 'satisfactory'."

Voice will give its full response to Ofsted's consultation in due course. 

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