Wilshaw calls for more ‘maverick teachers’ in schools

Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted’s chief inspector, has advised that schools in England need more ‘maverick teachers’ to shake up its ‘ordinary education’.

Wilshaw made the comment at a school leadership conference in Hampshire and apologised on behalf of the schools’ watchdog for any suggestions that it favoured particular teaching styles.

Wilshaw said: “A pretty ordinary education system – unfortunately we still have one – needs people who are flamboyant, colourful and yes, downright strange. In other words, we need extraordinary people. We need our awkward squad. The independent sector has always had them – our state system needs more of them.”

“In my estimation the best heads and teachers are often mavericks. And when I say ‘maverick’ I mean ‘odd’. I should know; I’m pretty odd myself.”

The news comes as the Ofsted chief called on ministers to tighten rules on home education, after more than 100 suspected illegal schools were discovered by inspectors.

Wilshaw added: “If a head demands a course of action not because it is in the best interests of the children but because he or she is eager to please the council, the union, the government and, yes, even Ofsted, then they are not doing their job.”

“What is right is what works for the teacher and the class... Ofsted is not interested in prescribing a particular teaching style. If we were ever guilty of that – then I apologise now.”