Schools dealing with the harm caused by Covid-19 lockdowns feel it is “unfair” to be held to account publicly, the head of Ofsted has suggested.
Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of schools in England, recognised there has been a “surge of discontent” about the education watchdog this year.
Speaking to MPs, Ms Spielman said a lot of people “resent the fact that a poor inspection judgment can lead to a change of control for a school”.
She added: “Schools are unquestionably having a hard time dealing with the aftermath of lockdowns and all the different kinds of harm that they’ve caused.
“And I think there’s a sense among schools that it’s unfair to be held (to) account publicly when they’re working so hard with such difficult issues.”
Ms Spielman said school performance is inspected in the same way as the rest of education, as well as healthcare, social services, police and prisons.
Addressing the Education Select Committee on Wednesday, she added: “It’s for Government to decide if it wants to change that whole framework of public accountability, but I think we’re feeling a bit of a push from the school sector for exemption from that framework.”
