ATL

ATL - Ofsted should do its own self-evaluation, because it would rate an inadequate in most schools' books

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

"Ofsted has become part of the problem, rather than the solution to help schools perform well. Its inspections, which require mountains of meaningless paperwork, divert teachers' attention away from teaching and learning and stop schools focusing on what's really important.

"It's hardly surprising that schools are confused by the recent changes in Ofsted inspections and don't know what they have to do to jump through the hurdles to be judged good or outstanding.

"It's about time Ofsted spent time on its own self-evaluation - because it would rate an inadequate in most schools' books."

Notes to editors

1. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing approximately 160,000 teachers, headteachers, lecturers and support staff in maintained and independent nurseries, schools, sixth form, tertiary and further education colleges in the United Kingdom.

2. ATL exists to help members, as their careers develop, through first rate research, advice, information and legal advice.

3. ATL is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). ATL is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties.