Headteachers have accused the government of having “dropped the baton” on school leaders, who are nonetheless “successfully responding” to the coronavirus crisis.
The comments were made by Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, during his speech to the union’s virtual annual conference today, in which he also branded Ofsted as a “one-trick pony”.
Closing the conference, Mr Whiteman used his speech to praise school leaders as “extraordinary professionals” especially in the face of all the challenges they have faced since the start of the Covid crisis in March.
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He said: “From day one, I have seen just how purposefully and willingly you [school leaders] have grasped the baton handed over by the government. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that you have picked up the baton that the government fumbled and dropped.”
Mr Whiteman criticised a string of government decisions, such as the one to keep Sats for this academic year, describing them as an “insult” to the profession.
He added: “The biggest insult is the government’s decision to invoke the temporary continuity order. These are nothing more than tissue-thin meaningless powers, it’s politicians talking tough in the face of their own failures. It’s another attempt to shift the blame, which we will not allow to happen.
“We are willing to engage as a union, but we are prepared to act. The NAHT is reasonable, we are not rebellious, but we are not stupid either. We had a huge boost in the membership during the pandemic.
“I say to the government: ask us for help…but it must be meaningful consultation, not a box-ticking exercise.
“Schools and families now need solutions, so that schools are funded properly, exams are sorted out before next summer, and we remove the pressure of Sats so that children can be taught properly.”
Mr Whiteman said that schools are facing increasing staffing pressures as winter comes, and that fatigue is a real problem already despite it being early in the school year.
He added: “You can’t fine parents into feeling safe, you cannot compel schools into greatness. Consult us and together we will find practical solutions that will truly support children and young people free from narrow ideology.
“But we are prepared to act. Ignore us, and we will act in the interest of our members and the young people they educate, support and care about.”
Mr Whiteman also criticised Ofsted for forcing visits under statutory powers and called for it to be a better supporter of the profession.
He said: “And then came Ofsted visits under statutory powers. Don’t worry, the profession isn’t stupid and it doesn’t need saving, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t force entering into school relying on statutory powers, and tell us that the visit is nothing to worry about. We exposed that and we will expose that again. So thank you Ofsted, but no thank you.
“No one asked you to save us. The pandemic has shown us what a one-trick pony Ofsted really is. There is value in insight, not inspections, support, not sanctions. But come on Ofsted, we invite you in, you can do so much better than this.”
A DfE spokesperson said: “Since the unprecedented closure of schools to most pupils in March, every major decision we have taken has been guided by the best scientific and medical advice and has been accompanied by engagement with stakeholders from the sector.
“Over seven million children have now returned to school, with 99.8% of schools open. This milestone is testament to the work of school staff across the country who have worked hard to put in place a range of protective measures to reduce the risk for children and staff.”
Ofsted declined to comment.
