End Ofsted, says National Union of Teachers

Citing a recent YouGov poll which discovered that only 15 per cent of teachers found its Ofsted inspections making a positive contribution to school improvement, the NUT is in favour of finding a successor body. The conference also found that only nine per cent of members thought that Ofsted were independent and free from political interference.

Christine Blower, NUT general secretary, explained how the current 'punitive inspection system' left teachers 'reeling with a mixture of fear and despondence'. She commented how a joint NUT and YouGov survey revealed that 90 per cent of teachers had considered leaving the profession within the last two years.

Blower said: "We are already seeing a teacher recruitment crisis as a result of Government education policies. Teachers deserve and need manageable, relevant workloads and they deserve and need pay and pensions that reflect their work and contribution to society."

She added: "The NUT will be seeking to enter into new negotiations with whoever forms the next Government in order to address these issues. Teachers deserve better and will demand better."

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