Southend school ‘unfairly’ put on special measures (From Echo)

Southend school ‘unfairly’ put on special measures

A HIGH school branded as failing was a victim of new inspection rules which led to it “unfairly” being put in special measures, a union leader has claimed.

Jerry Glazier, a member of the National Union of Teachers national executive, spoke after Ofsted inspectors ruled Cecil Jones College, in Southend, was failing its pupils.

The inspection report rated the school as inadequate for its overall effectiveness and its capacity to change for the better.

However, Mr Glazier said the school had been inspected under new framework by schools watchdog Ofsted, which put more emphasis on the school meeting targets and ticking boxes rather than on the success and achievements of pupils.

He said: “I understand the school has some major concerns about the way the inspection was conducted and it believes it was unfairly treated.

“I am concerned this new framework has built in disadvantages to schools operating in more challenging circumstances and it is clear the outcome of this has been to downgrade when there is little tangible evidence.

“Judgments are being made on very bureaucratic, data-driven decisions.

“It is beginning to mean schools that are good are ending up rated as satisfactory.

“It doesn’t appear schools are being fairly treated and they are being downgraded when it doesn’t appear to be justified.”

Patrick Leeson, director of education and care for Ofsted, admitted there had been changes to school inspections, but insisted inspectors spent time in the classroom observing lessons and talking to pupils and teachers.

He added: “The changes give more importance to the achievements, learning and progress of all pupils in a school.

“They also expect the leadership and management in a school to have a direct impact on how well pupils are achieving.