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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

362 replies

JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 14:28

The Chief Inspector of Ofsted is blaming parents who WFH for the demise of school attendance https://www.itv.com/news/2025-02-16/parents-working-from-home-makes-children-feel-school-is-optional-ofsted-head?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0ULgukQnTsabNTlcJRBI4kVQsMYkhCPK_KA4lUAgVkxOocYfo3onmRNHU_aem_nuBknA_QEGgfA93CaTPagg. Apparently none of us want to take our slippers off so we let our kids stay at home while we work.

He makes some REALLY weird points like his overworked dad he didn’t see much as his inspiration to go to school. And also MPs making sure they spend weekends with their families is a bad work ethic.

I know MN is a good example of whenever WFH threads are brought up, non-WFHers come on dripping with resentment over WFH and implying WFHers don’t really work. AIBU to think this man - who has somehow been knighted - is basically doing that? I’m not sure how much inspecting he does now, but Ofsted inspectors aren’t any superior or harder working just because they spend a few days working away from home at a time (something BTW I’m expected to do, at least 1 overnight a month).

Also as someone from a household where 2 of us WFH, I can’t think of anything worse than having kids flapping around us while we try and work. I’m FT, and this week I’m off Weds-Fri, as is DH. my DD11 will be at home tomorrow with strict instructions to keep away unless there’s a serious emergency (she’s secondary and old enough to take care of herself) and at a friend’s on Tuesday. My DS is 8 and is going into a holiday club tomorrow and Tuesday as his neediness is unbearable. Both have somewhere between 97 and 99% attendance so far this academic year.

YABU - “He’s got a point”
YANBU - “He’s wrong/resentful”

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 16/02/2025 15:32

Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 14:33

Read the article
it is very measured and sensible
and you distort it with your title

His argument is nonsense.

MrsPeregrine · 16/02/2025 15:30

Well I WFH and never keep my children off unless they are ill. Dropping them off at school in the morning is something I look forward to. Anyway, the inspector shouldn’t worry too much about people wfh because I’m pretty sure Reform will be getting in next time and will ban wfh just like Trump has.

Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:29

Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 15:02

Take a read op

then see if you’re frothing with resentment

Show quote history

I’m not at all resentful, but I do think the Ofsted man is. He provides no basis for his views, it’s something he’s just thrown out there for an apparent reason. He also doesn’t give any solutions as to what WFH SHOULD do. Just makes assumptions based on footwear

OP posts:
Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:28

Never2many · 16/02/2025 14:59

Apparently not. No because it’s behind a paywall bit of a contradiction there OP. you claim to have read the article, except you haven’t and have made up a viewpoint from a quote.

Maybe go and read the article first. And if you can’t read it then it’s a bit disingenuous to start a thread about something you know nothing about.

Show quote history

I have now. It hasn’t changed my mind. largely because it’s the same text and isn’t backed up by ANY sort of data

OP posts:
anothernameanotherplanet · 16/02/2025 15:28

Probably right with some, wrong with others.

If I were WFH the last thing I’d want round would be my children! You’d get so little done, interruptions etc.

As a wild generalisation those pupils with the best attendance - teachers’s children. It’s so hard to get time off as a teacher and then catch up later.

Some OFSED inspectors have said some daft stuff to me when inspecting schools I was in. Sometimes they are a little detached from reality.

CleverButScatty · 16/02/2025 15:27

AnotherDayInParadise43 · 16/02/2025 14:54

He's off his rocker. I've worked from home for nearly 5 years, DC have 100% attendance. Can't think of anything I'd want less than to have them around while I'm trying to work it was bad enough during the pandemic. And I do way more work at home than in the office.

Not to mention the fact that a couple of generations ago most children had a SAHM (not saying that's a good thing, but it blows his argument out of the water).

Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:27

Ankhmo · 16/02/2025 14:56

Archived 14 hours ago.

archive.ph/zwNPv

Ah @Ankhmo not all heroes wear capes!

So having read this - it hadn’t changed my mind.

Also why have people said there’s different statistics in this article than in the ITV article? There isn’t. And it most certainly hasn’t been taken out of context - the only difference is in the Times article he talks about the new traffic light report card, which ITV didn’t report in. The part about blaming WFH parents is lifted basically word for word.

Its still a man who seems to like controversy casting illogical and baseless theories around and seems really annoyed that people WFH in the first place.

OP posts:
Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 15:25

Over and out
should have done that when I realised the op was the type to get frothing at the mouth on the basis of an abstract and actually start a thread about it WItHOUT reading said article 😆

Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 15:23

JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:20

What does it say that’s substantially different from the ITV article?

Show quote history

Are we reading the same article?!

ok so given it’s your thread, how about you tell us what about the article pissed you off now that you’ve seen the cut and paste job was within a broader context where he identities other serious contributing factors including serious mental health challenges endured by some of our children, and links his comment around the change in work patterns with stats

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 16/02/2025 15:23

Someone should send him back to school to teach him that correlation is not the same as causation.

cardibach · 16/02/2025 15:22

JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 14:39

No because it’s behind a paywall

Does it have statistics to support this viewpoint?

Having googled the Times seem to have an exclusive relationship with this man whereby he goes to them making quite controversial statements. Interesting PR move

Show quote history

You said above that you had read it. You haven’t then?
I think pretty much everything said by a representative of OFSTED will be bollocks and the whole organisation should be dismantled forthwith, but have you or haven’t you read it all? And what exactly is he wrong about here?

Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:20

Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 14:53

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/ofsted-head-wfh-parents-make-children-think-school-is-optional-qtrmqpw9z

the op doesn’t have a subscription and didn’t bother to read

Show quote history

What does it say that’s substantially different from the ITV article?

OP posts:
YearsofYears · 16/02/2025 15:19

They've also just latched on to this to make it actively look like they're doing something to improve educational standards for children but nothing is being done. Schools are underfunded and there's a lack of teachers.

SwanOfThoseThings · 16/02/2025 15:19

I don't know what happens now but 30 years ago Ofsted inspectors worked from home when not actually on an inspection, long before Wfh was common. We had one in the family (long since retired).

blueshoes · 16/02/2025 15:19

JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:07

These comments mostly:

I think developing good social habits of getting up in the morning, putting your shoes on instead of your slippers,

I look at Westminster (where Ofsted is based) and I see the place clearing out on a Thursday night very often. Again, is there something in that?

Odd comments for a senior figure to make

Show quote history

Agreed.

Baseless speculation from a so-called senior figure extrapolating from anecdote in a totally unevidenced way.

Unbecoming and woefully uneducated stance from a senior figure in Ofsted.

It follows from how the box-ticking Osted extrapolates a school's performance from arbitrary pieces of evidence whilst wilfully turning a blind eye to the full picture.

Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:19

ClareBlue · 16/02/2025 14:51

So you haven't actually read the article and you post this with your illinformed opinion. Why would you actually do that. He does use evidence base and he is making a valid point that a culture of not leaving the home from adults can effect some children not wanting to leave the home for school. He doesn't say all parents WFH are permitting non attendance. He's talking about a societal change that has had some possible unintended consequences. It's a reasonable debate to instigate. He uses the example of his dad leaving the house as a motivation for him as a child. Not weird, not strange, just pointing out things as he is seeing them and opening up a discussion.

Show quote history

I have posted an article and I’m still waiting to hear how ITV took his comments out of context

hats his evidence base?

And TBH it’s still just his opinion. Not all opinions are equally valid.

OP posts:
Crazycatlady79 · 16/02/2025 15:19

JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 14:28

The Chief Inspector of Ofsted is blaming parents who WFH for the demise of school attendance https://www.itv.com/news/2025-02-16/parents-working-from-home-makes-children-feel-school-is-optional-ofsted-head?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0ULgukQnTsabNTlcJRBI4kVQsMYkhCPK_KA4lUAgVkxOocYfo3onmRNHU_aem_nuBknA_QEGgfA93CaTPagg. Apparently none of us want to take our slippers off so we let our kids stay at home while we work.

He makes some REALLY weird points like his overworked dad he didn’t see much as his inspiration to go to school. And also MPs making sure they spend weekends with their families is a bad work ethic.

I know MN is a good example of whenever WFH threads are brought up, non-WFHers come on dripping with resentment over WFH and implying WFHers don’t really work. AIBU to think this man - who has somehow been knighted - is basically doing that? I’m not sure how much inspecting he does now, but Ofsted inspectors aren’t any superior or harder working just because they spend a few days working away from home at a time (something BTW I’m expected to do, at least 1 overnight a month).

Also as someone from a household where 2 of us WFH, I can’t think of anything worse than having kids flapping around us while we try and work. I’m FT, and this week I’m off Weds-Fri, as is DH. my DD11 will be at home tomorrow with strict instructions to keep away unless there’s a serious emergency (she’s secondary and old enough to take care of herself) and at a friend’s on Tuesday. My DS is 8 and is going into a holiday club tomorrow and Tuesday as his neediness is unbearable. Both have somewhere between 97 and 99% attendance so far this academic year.

YABU - “He’s got a point”
YANBU - “He’s wrong/resentful”

It was SO much easier for children back in the day when WFH wasn't a thing, as their parents' thinly veiled contempt for them was masked by said caregivers fucking off to the office.

Treeinthesky · 16/02/2025 15:18

Tbh they are prob right. My dd if she says she is unwell I am more receptive to her having a day of than I used to be when I went to the office. Before they went to school even when they were poorly

BitOutOfPractice · 16/02/2025 15:18

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 16/02/2025 15:13

I can’t think of anything worse than having kids flapping around us while we try and work.

You are one of those who have a plan in place and make it work between you and your DH.

There are some who wfh with no childcare in place.

There have been numerous threads of people wfh with toddlers and babies to look after.

Some who brag about not doing much, logging on and snoozing through meetings, doing the school runs, chores, etc whilst pretending to be working.

Not all productivity is/can be tracked and some people do take liberties.

So although it maybe jealousy from some,
it's not surprising that companies are calling people back in.

If wfh is more productive, companies would stick with it.

Unfortunately it's the few lazy ones who spoil it for everyone.

There must be three threads a day on mn full of WFH-ers frantically telling us how much more productive they are at home 🤔

Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:17

Fae2222 · 16/02/2025 14:50

Yes exactly it’s really just a batshit theory from someone who really should have engaged his PR & comms team.

As I mentioned on another thread I think he/his media team are creating stories to deflect from the criticism of the proposed new OFSTED framework ( rushed, no research, not addressing key issues).

He is turning the focus away from OFSTED and on to parents (and teachers - proposing cutting school holidays).

Show quote history

Ah I didn’t realise there was another thread, I did try and check!

OP posts:
Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:17

Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 14:49

You would like me to provide you with information from the article you haven’t bothered to read (that I have) about the bits you think you might feel resentful about?

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No just seeking your opinion on why this man is right

OP posts:
Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:16

Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 14:45

Yes as clarified, it does

Edited
Show quote history

What do they say?

OP posts:
Original poster
JandamiHash · 16/02/2025 15:15

Dogthespot · 16/02/2025 14:45

Exactly
you’d think you would do this before getting resentful and starting a thread

Show quote history

Does the Sunday times article having anything compelling such as statistics to back this up?

OP posts:
REDB99 · 16/02/2025 15:15

Moltenpink · 16/02/2025 14:40

Well, I am more lenient on letting my kids stay home sick, since I’ve been able to wfh and not lose a day’s pay. They’ve been off with a stomach ache and heavy cold this year, previously it might have been a dose of calpol & see how they get on in school

But why don’t you still give them calpol and send them in? If you managed that before but now let them stay off then you’re using your WFH to enable your kids to be off school. If they’re too ill then of course they should be off but you’ve stated that you would have sent them in previously but now don’t as you WFH. Hence, people think that that an increase in WFH has led to an increase in school absence, you’ve just proved the link in your case.

BitOutOfPractice · 16/02/2025 15:15

You know that not everyone who works outside the home is a seething mass of resentment at those who wfh don’t you? I couldn’t do it now for all the tea in China, and I speak as someone who did it for 20 years. I would find it unremittingly depressing do y’know, you do you and don’t assume everyone is the same as you.