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Ofsted labelled a 'reign of terror' and 'toxic brand'

Ofsted is a “reign of terror” and has become a “toxic brand”, experts have told a hearing of the Times Education Commission.

Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, said that inspectors effectively work to a script and expect teachers to “be like robots”.

Other witnesses said that Ofsted is not “done as supportive or to help you improve” but is skewed towards “finding fault” ahead of promoting good practice.

The Times Education Commission is a year-long project aimed at informing government policy and inspiring change across schools, colleges and universities.

A hearing on Tuesday focused on school teaching and heard evidence from seven witnesses.

Among them, Dame Alison told the hearing that teaching in 2021 is “driven by a need for compliance”.

She explained: “Teachers are constantly looking over their shoulder, whether it’s about Ofsted judgements, whether it’s about attainment, whether it’s about workload teachers are being driven.

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