Commenting on the launch of Ofsted’s The Big Listen consultation, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“For too long Ofsted has been part of the problem of teacher demoralisation, stress and wastage. The new Chief Inspector has the opportunity to become part of the solution if he is willing not only to listen but also to act to support the work of schools in providing the high quality education that children deserve.

“Nothing is more important to children’s education than the work of teachers in the classroom.

“But in our recent National Teacher Poll, Ofsted and the associated pressures of inspection were cited as the number one drivers of excessive workload for classroom teachers. It should never have come to this. Mountains of bureaucracy and unfair criticism of schools do nothing to raise standards for pupils.

“Skyrocketing workloads and work-related stress have catapulted the profession into a teacher recruitment and retention crisis which is damaging children’s education.

“Our hardworking and dedicated teachers deserve more than fine words from the Chief Inspector. They deserve better support and a better deal.”