Secondary Moderns

the National Association of Secondary Moderns

[Secondary Moderns @SecModerns]

@comp_future “Grammar School” areas are abetter named “Secondary Modern” areas* as there are 3x more Sec Mods than Grammars (*actually better called selective areas!).

[Comprehensive Future @comp_future]

Reform UK is reportedly considering lifting the ban on new grammar schools. But England already has selective areas, and the evidence shows this system isn't working. Expanding selection would be a step backwards. https://t.co/ENaL4ql4eo

[Comprehensive Future @comp_future]

When league tables reward results over inclusion, schools respond. The result? Fewer disadvantaged SEND pupils in top schools. Schools should reflect their communities not 'manage' who applies. #FairAdmissions #SEND https://t.co/zLaQIRxk1v

[Dr Siobhan Sanders @SiobhanParker11]

Heard of a MAT practising the Ofsted planning call (on teams!) as part of a ‘review’, rehearsing the pre inspection. This feels like a shift to constant readiness, Raises real q’s about pressure, performativity, and whether we’re prioritising compliance over school improvement.

[Secondary Moderns @SecModerns]

One headteacher’s experience of Ofsted - a thread written in 2022 - can we really say that things have changed?

[Ex Head @ExHead_1]

I wrote this thread 4 years ago. Nothing seems to have changed. Ofsted reform? No sign of it.

[Ex Head @ExHead_1]

I wrote this thread 4 years ago. Nothing seems to have changed. Ofsted reform? No sign of it.

[Secondary Moderns @SecModerns]

https://t.co/Fosv7ptn5C
@NAHTnews @NASUWT @NEUnion @ASCL_UK

[Secondary Moderns @SecModerns]

Ofsted have shown that that they are unwilling to reform. In light of the position the have now taken I can see no way forward but for the unions to work together, with the teaching profession, to bring about the change necessary, something they committed to in 2024!

[Edmund Barnett-Ward @Edmund_B_W]

@Janroweljmu @Andreacurran15 @Julespg I wish the unions would be more proactive as well. I was dismayed to see ASCL cosying up to Sir Martyn for their conference. His speech was exactly on point for the trend I'm identifying - collapsing critique of inspection practice into a critique of accountability itself.

[Edmund Barnett-Ward @Edmund_B_W]

@Julespg We should all be crying Julie. I have no idea who is left to defend 'us' while the establishment and Ofsted proves so adept at shifting focus, regrouping, and rewriting the past while declaring 'job done'.

[Julie Price Grimshaw @Julespg]

@Edmund_B_W Thank you Edmund- a superb piece, although it left me tearful. It’s just incredible that Ofsted is now back to the age-old punishing narrative of blaming schools for low expectations. Appalling.

[Edmund Barnett-Ward @Edmund_B_W]

I’ve been away for a bit. We haven’t been having the best time, to be honest. I’ve noticed a few things happening with Ofsted and their supporters recently, and I’ve written about it.

Ofsted, of course, are driving on regardless.

https://t.co/5P1HYCbbCT

[Secondary Moderns @SecModerns]

@englishspecial Lead a Grammar School - never lead a Secondary Modern!!

[Terry Pearson @TPLTD]

@englishspecial We don’t need Ofsted to rank schools on achievement grades. That’s a waste of inspectors’ time and expertise. Those details are already available from the DfE. We need Ofsted to comment on what inspectors find when they visit schools. That’s good use of inspection resources.

[Frank Norris @FrankWNorris]

Heather, as one of the HMI at the time, responsible for that development, I am still convinced it should be more firmly rooted within inspection. This link might be interesting LET’S IMAGINE (with thanks to John Lennon) https://t.co/uTYe7SWK3k

[Frank Norris @FrankWNorris]

https://t.co/eopbDJFzO0 provided that oppprtunity. Prof Colin Richards wrote this up in an article called 'Imagine'. Its on the ABL website in the blog section on the link above.

[Ruth Swailes @SwailesRuth]

What I'm hearing from inspections, including from inspectors themselves, is that "secure fit", which Ofsted specifically said was introduced to reduce variability between different inspectors, is not doing that at all. It still very much depends on who walks through your door.

[Simon Davies 💙 @simon_davies2]

@SwailesRuth @CarmelOHagan1 I think Ofsted has become so toxic now that it cannot be effectively reformed. It needs to be disbanded. The dfe then needs to work with teachers, unions, headteachers etc. and produce an accountability system that is meaningful without creating this inordinate stress.

[Sue @ballater6]

@fiona39 @smithsmm @SwailesRuth @sciantificnew @Janroweljmu Absolutely, it’s the maintaining it that is hardest, it’s not only the culture of the school but the many socio economic issues…ofsted, LA or MAT just want quick fixes, as HT of a school you describe I was given a warning for saying things would take at least 5 yrs to change !

[Secondary Moderns @SecModerns]

If only they could positively contribute to school improvement?!

[David@Nautilus @DavidNautilus1]

Ofsted seem to have drifted into a place where their role is something to do with school improvement.

I thought they were set up to inspect, report and hold schools to account?

That’s very different.

[Tony Harwood @sciantificnew]

1/Prob. shouldn’t say this but I hear Ofsted said they didn’t see enough progress in lessons. And this alongside our low GCSE outcomes worked against us.

So what they’re effectively saying is schools with better outcomes are more likely to ‘get away’ with lower quality lessons?