Yahoo News Whitley Bay High School head blasts 'one-word' Ofsted scores as school retains outstanding status
As Whitley Bay High School is branded 'outstanding' for a third time its headmaster has blasted 'simplistic' and 'reductionist' Ofsted judgements.
Whitley Bay High scored outstanding across the board according to its most recent inspection, which took place on June 4 and 5 this year. Ofsted had not inspected the school since 2013, when it last retained its status, as it qualified for inspection exemptions.
However, since 2021 such schools have returned to regular inspections. From 2021/22, 370 previously outstanding schools have been inspected, with only 17% retaining the grade. While Whitley Bay High School’s leadership has welcomed the result, headmaster Steve Wilson did not hold back on 'one-word' inspection findings.
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Mr Wilson said: "We are delighted for our fantastic students and excellent staff that their work over many years at Whitley Bay High School has been recognised by Ofsted. To achieve outstanding in all categories is rare, given the demands of the most recent Ofsted framework.
"This excellent outcome for our school has however not changed my view about one-word judgements. They remain a simplistic and reductionist approach which we know from local and national experience can be intensely damaging.
"What was most pleasing about this inspection experience was the wonderful support we received from our students, parents and the wider community, which I would like to thank them for."
The regulator has come under scrutiny following the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry in January 2023, while she awaited the publication of an inspection which downgraded Caversham Primary, in Reading, from outstanding to inadequate.
An inquest into her death found that the Ofsted inspection at Mrs Perry’s school had “contributed” to her suicide. The inquest also found the inspection, in parts, “lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity”.
The family of Mrs Perry and two teaching unions have since called for one or two-word judgements to be scrapped.
Julie Firth, director of children’s services at North Tyneside Council, said: "I’d like to congratulate everyone at Whitley Bay High School for this brilliant outcome. An outstanding rating from Ofsted is a testament to the hard work that takes place each day to ensure pupils are receiving the best education, achieving their ambitions, and having a positive school experience."
