Ofsted kills serendipity. False.

Now this looks like a job for me so everybody just follow me
cuz we need a little controversy,
cuz it feels so empty without me.

Eminem, Without Me

There a thing niggling at me. It’s the way that people hide behind Ofsted, accountability, exam boards, the National Curriculum or Gove.

They aren’t what kills serendipity in the classroom. Teachers are.

Recently, we went through an Ofsted. One of their observations stated that they saw too much teacher talk and not enough collaborative group work in general. Therefore, the inspection regime doesn't kill off opportunities for genuine learning. During the inspection, Priory Geography continued as usual, with pupils out and about. Our lessons were seen a judged well.

I think that we need to stop hiding behind excuses and start being innovative. More importantly, let’s get others in our own schools innovative. Don’t wait for the invitation, let’s just do it.

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David Rogers

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