Ofsted

NEU conference: Shadow education secretary heckled over Ofsted

Labour wants to reform the watchdog, while the National Education Union favours abolition

Labour wants to reform the watchdog, while the National Education Union favours abolition

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson was heckled by delegates at the National Education Union conference today as she spoke about Labour’s plans to reform Ofsted.

Shouting broke out in the hall in Bournemouth when the politician started speaking about the watchdog, and how it needs to “turn a corner”.

It is thought to be the first time a Labour politician has been heckled at an education union conference since the party was in power pre-2010. Conservative politicians have faced interruptions more recently, however.

The NEU wants Ofsted to be abolished, and delegates this week passed a motion calling for the creation of a “new system of collaborative support and accountability”.

But Labour has said it will reform, not scrap the inspectorate, giving it a strengthened school improvement role, with the length and timing of inspections and grading also up for discussion.

Phillipson told delegates today that to be “to be supportive of inspection, is not to believe it cannot be better”.

“For one thing, it is hardly surprising if the Ofsted we need tomorrow is different from the Ofsted we needed 30 years ago.

“For another, the way inspections operate makes teachers, leaders and lecturers too often feel punished rather than supported.”

Some delegates responded with shouts of “abolish it”, while others booed the shadow education secretary.

Engagement with politicians ‘vital’, says NEU boss

NEU president Daniel Kebede attempted to calm the hall, asking shouting delegates to take an “early lunch”.

“I’m not going to have this continued shouting out. If you don’t want to be here, no-one’s forcing you to be.”

He later added: “Conference, you’re like children, settle down.”

Phillipson finished her speech despite repeated interruptions, and received applause after joint NEU general secretary Kevin Courtney thanked her for her appearance.

Courtney said it was “vital” for the NEU to engage with every political party. He said the union believed Ofsted was a “toxic brand”, but added: “we are here to engage in a serious way with politicians that want to engage with us”.

Labour’s current position on Ofsted differs from the policy pursued under Jeremy Corbyn. Ahead of the 2019 general election, Labour pledged to scrap the watchdog and replace it with a new system involving local authority “health checks”.

But the party confirmed last year that under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership Ofsted would be reformed, not abolished.

Phillipson said today that Labour would reform inspections so the “intensity of the experience is reasonable and proportionate”. She wants a process that points teachers to the “support they need to improve”, and that considers the “broad context for schools”.

She added that inspection of multi-academy trusts was also “missing” from the current system.

‘If people don’t want to engage, that’s their choice’

Speaking to journalists following her speech, Phillipson said she was “clear Ofsted does need to change”, and wanted to “speak to teachers and to leaders and to parents about how we make that change”.

“But if that’s going to be effective it’s got to be a two-way process, and that means genuine engagement. If people don’t want to engage, that’s their choice.”

She said school staff and leaders reported inspection was “punitive, and not as supportive as it ought to be”.

“I understand the frustration that teachers feel around that, but I also understand that parents want to make sure that things are going well within their child’s school. I don’t think we’ve got the balance right at the moment.”

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Beyond exams: why ASDAN’s refreshed qualifications are key to real-world learner success

In today’s outcome-driven education landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, yet equally vital, qualities that help learners truly...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Turbo boost your pupil outcomes with Teach First

Finding new teaching talent for your school can be time consuming and costly. Especially when you want to be...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Inspiring Leadership Conference 2025: Invaluable Insights, Professional Learning Opportunities & A Supportive Community

This June, the Inspiring Leadership Conference enters its eleventh year and to mark the occasion the conference not only...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Catch Up® Literacy and Catch Up® Numeracy are evidence-based interventions which are highly adaptable to meet the specific needs of SEND / ALN learners

Catch Up® is a not-for-profit charity working to address literacy and numeracy difficulties that contribute to underachievement. They offer...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Ofsted

Nearly two-thirds think Ofsted reforms are worse, ‘alternative’ consultation finds

Survey launched by Ofsted critics finds 90% of respondents said five-point grading system not fit for purpose

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Ofsted

Ofsted looks at renaming new ‘secure’ grade

Watchdog has been warned parents may not know where the word fits on its proposed new sliding scale

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Ofsted

Peerage for ex-Ofsted chief ‘inappropriate’ say heads

Concerns follow reports Amanda Spielman will be elevated to the House of Lords by the Conservatives

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Ofsted

‘Join the PTA not the pile-on’, Oliver tells complaining parents

Parents should engage with schools 'in the right way', says Ofsted chief amid rising abuse of teachers and leaders

Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *