Revealed – what parents really think of Ofsted

Surely the era of ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvements’ and ‘inadequate’ schools is coming to an end, writes Ed Dorrell

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman (Caroline Graham/Pre-school Learn/PA) (PA Media)

It’s a long time since Ofsted has been caught in the focus of negative media attention for such a sustained period – if ever.

Even when the inspectorate has made big headlines it has been, for better or worse, usually because its boss – grandly called Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector – has excoriated some aspect of schools or schooling.

It is a rare thing indeed for it to have the focus of national debate actually turned in on its methods, in the way that it has in the days since the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry earlier this month.