Author: Bethany Spencer
Posted: 17 Jan 2019
Estimated time to read: 2 mins
Teachers join the profession with the understanding that they’re going to do much more than simply teach. It’s now expected that teachers double as confidants, carers, safeguarders and more. Within this role, we know that we’re not simply teaching students academia and curriculum knowledge, but we’re helping to develop the people they become, teaching manners, differences between right and wrong, freedom of expression and so much more.
Sometimes, it's difficult to uphold the extended role of being a teacher during these trying times that face the world of education. Lack of funding, high pressure, increasing class sizes, large turnover and rising standards are all issues which can consume a teacher, especially when the success of a school and a teacher ultimately comes down to the performance of their students and how high their grades are.
“Schools that fail to deal with bullying and low-level classroom disruption are to be heavily punished by Ofsted.”
Changes to Ofsted Framework
We’ve heard about the extreme lengths schools will go to in order to top league tables and Ofsted ratings, such as the culling of students who don’t perform to their predicted grades to skew their average score. However, we’ve now been given new hope in the form of the most recent Ofsted announcement, in which there are claims, “schools that fail to deal with bullying and low-level classroom disruption are to be heavily punished by Ofsted under a major shakeup of its inspection criteria.”
These new expectations outlined by Ofsted mean that teachers and schools will be judged on the more personal aspects of education and these changes will help to develop schools into establishments where learning can flourish.
Clamping down on disruptive behaviours will mean that students will be working in the optimum learning environment, disruptions will be minimised meaning more teaching and learning can take place - time won’t be wasted taking control of disruptive behaviour, so teachers will have a full lesson to teach and students a full lesson to learn.
The benefits of a well managed classroom are well known in terms of academic performance, but the impact this has on our teachers’ wellbeing is also profound and makes this new measure one that is welcomed with open arms.
The new framework is a better reflection of the work schools are already doing to help students have the best school experience
The fact the bullying has an explicit reference will mean that, although schools already do a great deal to minimise bullying and interfering when it does happen, even more attention will be placed on developing a school environment where every child feels safe, welcome and ready to learn.
It will be instilled into all children what’s an acceptable way to treat one another and will help schools in fostering positive school cultures and creating communities. Not to mention that when we’re communicating these messages and sentiments, it’s reflected in our own behaviour which only makes for a positive working environment.
Conclusion
The new framework is a better reflection of the work schools are already doing to help students have the best school experience possible and helping them become the best versions of themselves. It will also helps parents gauge a better understanding of how a school is run and hopefully provide them with peace of mind as to whether or not their children will be in safe hands and in an environment that celebrates learning and progression.
