The education secretary has been urged to publicly retract her “inflammatory” comments about punching an Ofsted inspector.
The remarks add to the “difficult” school inspection climate, according to a letter sent to Gillian Keegan today by Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, which represents Ofsted HMI.
In front of an audience of school leaders last Friday, Ms Keegan said she “would probably have punched” rude Ofsted inspectors, referring to the experience of one school in her constituency.
Mr Penman’s letter, shared with Tes, states: “Many of our members have already been in touch to raise their concerns to us about your use of inflammatory language, which has further undermined the role of hard-working inspectors.
“Our focus is very much on ensuring that inspectors can carry out their duties safely and without fear. Your comments serve to further stoke division between inspectors and school leaders, adding to the existing difficult climate around school inspections.”
Ofsted needs credibility and trust from its stakeholders and particularly from the government, he continued, adding: “Your recent comments have damaged this and therefore I would urge you to publicly retract them.”
The FDA has invited Keegan to meet the union at the earliest opportunity, and would “welcome constructive, respectful and progressive discussions” with the minister and the government.
Ms Keegan’s comments came last week during a conversation on the main stage at the ASCL school leaders’ union annual conference in Liverpool with incoming general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio.
She told Mr Di’lasio she had been “shocked” to hear about one school’s experience with Ofsted.
She continued: “I thought, God, if I had met these people, I would probably have punched them. They were really rude.”
Inspectors and schools should act with ‘respect’
The education secretary’s remarks came shortly after the Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver launched the watchdog’s Big Listen consultation, which is seeking views from school leaders, parents and teachers on inspection.
When asked directly about the education secretary’s comments last week, Sir Martyn said they were “referring to a previous period” of the inspectorate.
He added that inspectors and schools should act with “professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect” during inspections.
The FDA’s national officer for Ofsted, Matt Newman, also criticised Ms Keegan’s comments, saying they were “completely unacceptable” and “dangerous”.
“Ofsted inspectors are hard-working, decent people who are passionate about what they do. They do not expect to be threatened just for doing their job - especially by the secretary of state for education,” Mr Newman said.
The Department for Education has been approached for comment.
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