I'm glad so many teachers have got involved in this discussion. I always thought that teachers had a heavy workload. Now I know so. I do feel at a disadvantage when talking about education, because I can't help but see it from the perspective of a working parent who hasn't had regular contact with the classsroom. Thanks, Batters, for the compliment, though!
My son, for various reasons, is now at his third state primary. He is happy there and according to his teachers (and from the work I have seen) has improved enormously in standard of work and behaviour since he arrived - under two terms ago. I do not intend to move him again.
I did not think his old state primary was 'bad' but I knew it was not bringing out the best in my son. As it happened we were offered a place at his current school - smaller, more personal and less rowdy. After some deliberation, we took it.
Since my son left the school I found out, from reliable sources, that a classroom assistant witnessed a teacher amending a SATS test answer because the pupil 'knew the correct answer but hadn't put it down'. The teachers freely spoke about the head running scared of Ofsted and urging her staff to get the required result at all costs. This also manifested itself in the introduction of every new initiative going, making huge demands on the overworked staff. Made worse because the head did not back the staff in the day-to-day running of their classes. When pupils were badly behaved they were sent to senior teachers or the deputy head.
As a parent, I really can't think how I could have changed this situation or the head's attitude to ofsted. It was so political. All the PTA meetings in the world wouldn't have made a difference. The teachers certainly couldn't change it and many are leaving. The school is increasingly relying on temporary staff. I know, because I witnessed it happen, that inconsistency is bad for my son's education.
My son's new state school appears to be OK. IME, and despite the best efforts of the teachers, you can't take this for granted. I'm not saying a private school guarantees a good education, but neither do I think that all state schools do.