A year ago, I was so moved by the story of Ruth Perry's death that I felt I had to do something and I quickly drafted this petition and shared the link with friends on Facebook and on Twitter. I went out for the day and came back and checked the petition and couldn't quite believe how many people had signed! Overnight it grew even more and the next day well, wow! I was contacted by journalists, gave a few interviews to BBC and a few others, who mostly wanted to know why I had felt driven to start the petition.
The honest answer was that reading the story on Mothers Day, made me sob. As a mum it hit me and as a freelance school business manager and director of JEM Business Consulting Ltd, I had lived and breathed the pressures of Ofsted for the last ten years, the impact of an impending inspection and then the inspection itself, the pressure is enormous and not always a fair process. Also does it actually do what it says on the tin? some schools go 10/15 years between inspections, how does that ensure that schools are providing a good curriculum for the pupils? How does it ensure that the children are safe? How? Also what happens to the schools that remain as requires improvement and can't get themselves out? What happens to the schools that are already part of a multi academy trust and they don't get out of that grading?? What happens? The system is broken. It doesn't do what it says on the tin! But who fixes it? They are autonomous! Who inspects the inspector?
Its been a frustrating year.
I have emailed Gillian Keegan and Amanda Spielman.
I have lobbied MP's.
I have emailed the Government Petition Group.
I have emailed Sir Martyn Oliver.
I have watched the headlines, I have followed Ruth Perry's inquest.
Am I hopeful for change? Not really!
We have all read these stories:
Education Secretary slammed for saying she would have ‘probably punched’ Ofsted staff (msn.com)
Education secretary: I probably would have punched Ofsted inspectors (msn.com)
and it makes you question whether those that are in charge, actually understand, after everything that has been said this year, does she actually get it?
‘Dark thoughts’: how Ruth Perry’s resolve fell apart after Ofsted visit | Ofsted | The Guardian
Five questions about Ofsted after the Ruth Perry inquest - BBC News
I don't think she does.
So a year on, I still very, very sad, my heart goes out to Ruth Perry's family on this Mothering Sunday, it must be so very terribly, terribly hard that a broken inspection system took away their wife, mother, sister and a year on it is still pretty broken.
I have spent the year wishing I could do something, do more, it is very frustrating.
If any of you are feeling alone and lonely and you feel like you have no one to talk to, please reach out.
Headteachers – Talking Heads Supervision
Who’s supporting school leaders to stop them hitting crisis point? (schoolsweek.co.uk)
Helplines and listening services - Mind
Getting help with your suicidal thoughts | Suicide | NHS inform
Look after yourselves and each other.
Ofsted have launched their Big Listen campaign:
The Big Listen (smartsurvey.co.uk)
Ofsted Big Listen - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
My personal opinion is that this is just a small step and it isn't enough without big change and Ofsted really taken notice of what people at the ground level say.