A disquieted reflection
Wed, Apr 7th 2010
I haven’t ‘blogged’ for a little while now! To write a ‘blog’ you need to imagine you are sitting down on a comfortable chair, very relaxed, having a gentle reflective chat with friends. Recently my life gets so busy – I never seem to find that contemplative moment! But sometimes you are so jarred by a sharp sense of disquiet you are propelled to convince your friends to feel the same way! Today is the latter.
The other week I was contributing to a Headteachers’ conference. It was to be a convivial few days opportunity for everyone to share problems, support each other and be inspired within pleasant surroundings – a much needed break for overburdened Heads. We had only just finished session 1 when, over coffee, I found a poor head teacher in tears. She had just looked at her mobile and had been summoned back for the dreaded – never – know – when – they are coming – OFSTED visit. It was too big a blow for her. A few seconds before she had been feeling relaxed, laughing and revelling in the much needed company and wisdom of her peers. Then WHAM it is over for her before it began.
Folks, this is Draconian stuff. I cannot imagine that any other profession would let this happen. Where are our unions? What is it in the psyche of teachers that allows this OFSTED practice to continue? Is it because we are too tired to fight? Is it the insidious ‘divide and rule’ nature of it? Is it because our self esteem is so low we don’t think we deserve better? Or is it because our self-esteem is so sound we think that there is no goal or demand on us we can’t reach if it is requested? I just don’t know. I am so shaken and disheartened by what we tolerate, that I don’t seem to have any way of understanding how it all got like this. Has anyone got any views on this?
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