Teachers have voiced near-unanimous opposition to any Ofsted in-person monitoring inspections of schools this term.

The watchdog U-turned on its controversial plan to go into some schools last month. But Ofsted’s current position is that could go back into schools for monitoring visits from 8 March, when wider school openings are planned.

Now a Tes survey of more than 6,500 teachers in England reveals that almost all of them are against Ofsted starting on-site monitoring inspections again this term. 

They argue that physical visits from inspectors would add to work pressures at an already difficult time and could contribute to the spread of coronavirus.

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In the Tes survey, 93 per cent of teachers in England said they did not think Ofsted should visit schools for monitoring inspections after the half term break, with just 3 per cent disagreeing and 3 per cent saying they did not know.

One primary teacher said: “You are simply adding extra pressure and stress to teachers who have struggled themselves during this lockdown.”

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And a state secondary teacher said: “It’s unfair when many teachers are having to work in difficult and challenging circumstances... There needs to be more understanding that public sector workers are working in a pandemic, and standards should be different.”

Others teachers said in-person visits from the inspectorate could be dangerous in spreading Covid-19.

One state secondary teacher said the risk of Covid infection from Ofsted visits could force schools to close.

“Surely this is the opposite of what should be happening,” they said. “Ofsted should only be needed if there is a serious concern over child safety.”

Last term Ofsted’s programme of visits to schools to check on pupils’ return to full-time education was hit by controversy after an inspector tested positive for Covid and, as a result, a London primary school had to close its doors.

Ofsted had originally planned to return to full graded inspections in January.   

However, it was announced in December that full inspections were being delayed until the summer term and that this term the watchdog would carry out a programme of “supportive” monitoring visits of schools graded as “requires improvement” or “inadequate”.

The watchdog had intended to send inspectors into schools to carry them out.  But there was a U-turn after the FDA union, which represents senior HMI inspectors, announced that its Ofsted members had voted “overwhelmingly” to call for the suspension of on-site visits during the current Covid-19 lockdown. 

They raised serious concerns about the risks posed to both pupils and staff of having Ofsted visit schools during the current public health crisis.

And they said that facing school inspections was a burden school leaders working in “incredibly difficult circumstances could well do without”.

Teachers responding to the Tes survey have now echoed that sentiment. 

A secondary teacher said: “They should stay away until the crisis is over....Why can’t Ofsted do some cover lessons or do some TA work? They can come and do some photocopying for me if they like, or even plan some digital lessons.”

Others questioned what Ofsted would be monitoring when schools are delivering remote learning.

“No, what will they be monitoring? If most teaching is done remotely, if they really have to they could join some remote lessons. There should be no extra visitors into schools to reduce the spread of Covid-19,” a state secondary teacher said.

A minority of teachers agreed with the idea of monitoring visits.

One secondary teacher said: “A monitoring inspection would keep schools accountable and perhaps allow Ofsted to advise rather than penalise during what is an unsure time for all school leaders.”

Others commented that monitoring was acceptable if it was in light of a safeguarding issue, or specifically intended to inspect remote learning during the pandemic.