To think the Ofsted inspector who blames WFH parents for low attendance is probably just resentful?

Nope schools didn't expect that on return. They put measures in place to support kids return.

They expect after 5 years that excuses aren't like arseholes.

Yanbu, people are jealous creatures 😄

I've read the article in The Times.

When you get into it there are actually multiple reasons why children might be absent with health, including Mental Health, getting mentions.

I wonder whether The Times, not noted for it's advocacy of WfH, has headlined that aspect for clicks.

When my kids were at school I'd have left for the commuter train to London before they were up. Until they were into Primary they'd have eaten before I got home.

I'm now 100% WFH and although my working day is slightly longer I'd have a lot more time with them if they were still at school. I could take them in and still be at my virtual desk by 09:00.

@JandamiHash totally agree he should have backed it up with statics (which he easily could where I work for example)

It is a thing with slightly older children - they know Mum or Dad's at home, so say they're ill and need to go home, or will refuse in the morning and the parent needs to be online in ten minutes, so will leave them to watch tv as long as they're quiet.

It can be difficult for the parents because they can't say no, I'm in the office (combined with a kid crying down the phone at them - damn good reason to ban mobiles in school, that) or saying they've been sick with no proof.

For anyone dealing with school refusal, even when you work from home it is 5000x more easier if they just went to school! Rather than constantly trying to get them out of bed and ready and wondering whether you can make that meeting if they are able to go in at break or lunchtime. Parents certainly are not keeping them at home because it's easier for them!

Ofsted either needs to be disbanded or completely overhauled, its honestly not fit for purpose.

If that's the case why did the OP start a thread on an article she isn't going to read, then expect people to break down its contents for her?

I was just thinking that. No longer have a school aged child, but when I did they were more likely to get a day off sick on my non-working day than if I had a meeting, so I guess it would have been the same if WFH. OTOH I would have been aware when DS considered attendance at 6th form to be optional and I only found out at parents meeting.

All of which was completely needed to keep teachers (who were not considered to be priority for vaccines) safe from a Covid in the same way that other working people were kept safe (often WFH) of course! It is important to keep stating that teachers didn’t get a lot of ‘consideration’, unlike most of the population.

So basically ‘when it suits’ = to keep teachers safe (even if this wasn’t as long as most people were sitting at home) OR to gain fairer pay and conditions.

Don’t bash teachers for this. We aren’t responsible for every problem in society.

This article has made me very angry as it's incredibly misleading. There is no evidence of a link between wfh and school absence, just that they are happening at the same time.

It is entirely his opinion and he cannot possibly understand the many complex reasons behind school absence. The fact that The Times has put it on the front page means this will get more weight as an opinion than it deserves.

The reason for increased absence is school's inability to provide the correct environment for a growing number of children with needs. Schools are putting in all possible adaptations but we cannot change the environment - class sizes, corridors, sensory overwhelm - our outdated schools are not suitable environments for many children.

But that would involve investment and an overhaul of the education system so it's easier to blame wfh.

They still do IME.

Pattern is usually, prep and phone call with school leaders, Monday, from home, inspect Tuesday & Wednesday in school, write report at home and submit to OFSTED Friday.

I have WFH for many years, and my two kids have really great attendance records. I couldn't have them at home with me as it would impact on my productivity

Just to quote

**Oliver said several other factors were also affecting attendance, including poor mental health, such as anxiety and depression,and a lack of funding for services such as school nurses and child psychologists, as well as difficulties luring children away from their screens.

Official figures show a fifth of primary school children are now persistently absent, missing at least one day a fortnight
GETTY IMAGES
He said: “In lockdown we said to children, ‘Stay at home to be educated, go online’. Then we said, ‘Come in for your education, don’t go online, don’t go on your phone’. You can understand that was quite confusing for children going through their formative years. Nurseries, schools, colleges have worked really hard to get over that and we are seeing great successes but there’s more than can be done.”
**

I read the guardian article on this earlier. While I agree that attendance is bad and the data around days etc and a culture shift, I don't believe parents would want their kids around while WFH 😂 if anything, they would find them distracting.

Agree 💯

My point was his deflection by creating interest around well trodden views ( cut teachers’ holidays, raise links with WFH) - not that there is another thread.

There isn't another thread about this, the other thread is about Sir Martyn suggesting that teachers need to teach for more than 190 days out of 365. Again, deflecting away from increasing criticism of OFSTED given the consultation on the proposed framework.

Perhaps you work for MO and OFSTED media @JandamiHash 😂. Promoting MO’s batshit deflections?