I agree very long - repetitive leading questions - just asking parents to agree with very obvious statements about certain points ofsteds work which they should be doing anyway; like listening to staff, supporting staff, trusting staff, which obviously hasnt happened, which is why we are at this point.
I cant see why they dont see the simplicity of fixes:
Trusting staff to know their pupils and needs so less need for testing. (testing stressses staff, parents and children) Scrap league tables...they can be skewed (many teachers have told me!)
Smaller class sizes so teachers have time to teach individuals properly and better for mental health of all involved.
Better pay - great teaching is an investment.
More schools set up nationlly for SEN as they are taking up the time of teachers not trained to teach complex needs (5/6 experienced teachers gave me varying statistics of their current classrooms, the worst: 33% of her new primary class were SEN, the best 7/30 SEN). Teachers want to teach, if they want to specialise in SEN they do. They do not want to be social workers, put up with bad behaviour, violence and cleaning childrens teeth (one teacher I know has to do this for a pupil) And no Im not against inclusion, my child has SEN.
Thet need to concentrate, especially at primary, on learning through play and activity. English (with spelling) and Maths the obvious priority. But relevant creative English and storytelling.....forget the fronted adverbials etc ARGH! teaching grammar at a young age has been proven to knock the creativity out of learning and switch many pupils off reading and writing before theyve even got started. Grammar can be learned and understood at secondary school. Maths is also a language, and primary should only teach basics. Without the foundation basic building blocks being learned and understood fully, maths becomes a foreign language to many children very quickly and again they are left behind and isolated.
I could go on and on....but wont
This survey would have been much more productive and effective if they asked mumsnet as a point of reference. Asking for 5 things that could be brought in or concentrated on, 5 things to be scrapped, and a for and against vote on keeping /removing SATs and league tables v trusting teachers. Oh the time and money that could be saved.....