Teachers don't know what stress is, according to the Ofsted chief
Ofsted's controversial chief inspector today launched a stinging attack on heads and teachers who make excuses and complain about their jobs, saying they do not know what stress is.
England does not need school leaders whose first instinct is to blame others for failure, but those that are willing to tackle under-performance, Sir Michael Wilshaw warned.
Heads have more power, pay and freedom than ever before and should recognise the "privileged" position they are in, he said.
Wilshaw also vowed to press ahead with his proposals to raise school standards in the face of widespread criticism from headteachers.
He told a conference at Brighton College this morning that in the past, headteachers who were not prepared to tackle poor teaching were not challenged.
"We need to learn from this and challenge those who have power invested in them to make the difference, but too often make excuses for poor performance - it's just too hard, the children are too difficult, the families are too unsupportive, this job is far too stressful," Wilshaw said.
"Let me tell you what stress is.
"Stress is what my father felt, who struggled to find a job in the 1950s and 1960s and who often had to work long hours in three different jobs and at weekends to support a growing family.
"Stress is, I'm sure, what many of the million and a half unemployed young people today feel - unable to get a job because they've had a poor experience of school and lack the necessary skills and qualifications to find employment.
"Stress is what I was under when I started as a head in 1985, in the context of widespread industrial action - teachers walking out of class at a moment's notice - doing lunch duty on my own every day for three years because of colleagues who worked to rule - covering five classes in the sports hall when there was no-one to teach them.
"Stress was, in the days before local management of schools, writing letters in triplicate to the local authority asking for a brick wall to be built in the playground or for a bit of extra money to keep an excellent maths teacher - and not receiving a reply for weeks.
"I still bear the scars of those days."
Wilshaw said that times have changed, and that heads are now in charge, with better pay and more independence, power and resources than before.
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"We need heads who know what a privileged position they are in now and who can use their new-found independence well - people who roll up their sleeves and get on with improving their schools, even in the most difficult circumstances.
"What we don't need are leaders in our schools whose first recourse is to blame someone else - whether it's Ofsted, the local education authority, the government or a whole host of other people."
Wilshaw told the conference that the bar on school standards must be raised.
"We must hold our nerve," he said.
"I am determined to do so as chief inspector, and not panic at the first whiff of grapeshot, some of which has whistled past my ears over the last few days."
The union passed an emergency motion which said they were "saddened and dismayed" by his approach.
The move represented a further deterioration of relations between the union and Ofsted, and came just days after the NAHT raised concerns over the variable quality of inspections and the watchdog's planned changes to the inspection system.
Proposing the motion, Mike Curtis, an Oxfordshire headteacher, had told the NAHT's conference: "Fear reigns and confidence wanes as Ofsted waves its stick!"
It is time to stand up to "bully-boy tactics", he added.
Education Secretary Michael Gove backed the Ofsted chief in his speech to Brighton College today, telling delegates: "There's been some criticism recently of the new inspections framework and the new chief inspector.
"I've listened to that criticism - I've considered carefully the arguments made - and I have to say on reflection - it's misdirected at best, mischievous at worst.
"Sir Michael Wilshaw is a visionary school leader who has spent his career in the state sector and has achieved amazing results for children from the poorest homes - when his critics achieve results like him, then I'll believe their arguments carry the same weight as his experience.
"He is determined to improve inspection, drive up standards, encourage great teaching and celebrate good leadership - he deserves the backing of everyone who wants children to succeed - and I shall do everything to ensure that whatever he wants - he gets."
Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Committed, hard pressed school leaders who have been working tirelessly to raise standards despite a climate of public denigration, job vulnerability and spending cuts know exactly what stress is.
"Asking the chief inspector to stop denigrating the profession and to recognise the challenges school leaders face, especially in schools in disadvantaged areas, is not, in my book, blaming others."
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: "Please will Ofsted concentrate on helping schools improve and stop criticising teachers and heads.
"It is really not helpful for Sir Michael Wilshaw to rubbish the amount of stress teachers are under.
"And Ofsted is part of the problem with its continual changing of the inspections goalposts and ridiculous demands for lessons to be exciting at all times."
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A protester holds up a placard in front of Downing Street in London as thousands of off-duty police officers march past in a protest against cuts in the police service, Thursday, May 10, 2012. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Police officers and public sector workers march through central London during a day of protest across the country on May 10, 2012 in London, England. A reported 400,000 public sector workers across the country are taking part in a twenty four hour strike in dispute over government changes to pensions. (Photo credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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Syrians inspect damages at the site of twin blasts in Damascus on May 10, 2012. Two powerful blasts in quick succession rocked the Syrian capital at morning rush hour, killing and wounding dozens of people, state television said, blaming the attacks on 'terrorists.' (Photo credit: LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/GettyImages)
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Oh, HE only knows what stress is like. Teachers have every right to complain about the legitimate problems. The majority of teachers do their jobs. Those that don't are protected not by the tenure system as much as by those protected by the administration/Board because of political/family ties.
Vgman: Oh, HE only knows what stress is like. Teachers have
With millions out of work all the teachers can do is whine about how they are overworked and how they deserve a pay rise. If you don't like the amount that teaching pays then get another job. Demanding more pay when educational standards are falling is unacceptable. Demanding a rise when the funds have to come from people who are struggling to make ends meet is outrageous. Teachers should try to set a good example for their students instead of acting like the bullies they are and shouldn't be.
Vapula: With millions out of work all the teachers can do
Not one teacher's union has asked for a pay rise! Not a single teacher has asked for a pay rise! You, my friend, have some serious issues...sounds like you were bullied by a bad teacher!
mmartini54: Not one teacher's union has asked for a pay rise!
Sir Michael Wilshaw should be sacked. He was an effective and dynamic head, but in his current role he shows all the hall marks of a martinet; arrogance, a conviction his opinion alone is right and that those who disagree are weak, wicked or both.
Whether or not stress within the teaching profession is high is not a matter of opinion. Study after study has confirmed this. Headteacher posts unfilled and an exodus of young teachers are symptoms of this. Bullying (by heads) within the profession has reached epidemic proportions. Teachers are increasingly being asked to take on greater responsibilities, without the nationally agreed commensurate pay increase. Refusal often results in victimisation and threats of ‘incompetency proceedings’. Any doctor or occupational health practitioner will confirm that stress in teaching is very high and getting worse. As for whether morale in the profession is low, this too is not open to debate. Survey after survey has identified this as a very real problem. And it’s a problem that’s getting worse (see today's 'Observer').
It is pointless (and arrogant) to argue whether or not the profession is right to feel so stressed or whether the low morale is justified. For whatever reason, this is where we are at and what we have to deal with. Sir Michael Wilshaw’s comments can only make a bad situation far, far worse. Anyone who makes foolish and harmful statements, unsupported by facts, which damages the “business” in their charge should be sacked. Just ask Gerald Ratner,
LancelotJohn: Sir Michael Wilshaw should be sacked. He was an effective
I am not a teacher but work in a secondary school aka academy. I must say that if it was only teaching, marking work, lesson planning and target setting teachers had perform there would be lesser stress as teaching is all they would need to do BUT schools are now expected to do more than just teach and this is where the stress comes in. Imagine dealing with 1260 students, welfare issues, social issues and parental meetings, parents evenings, everybody thinking their child is more important. The time given to communicate inbetween lessons with parents on behaviour issues or praise is minimal to almost impossible as teaching and learning comes first. Not forgetting the SEN children's needs. Let me tell you from one who sees it taking place, it is much to get done in a week let alone a day. I have my griping when ready about some of the techniques in place but this is it.
Deja_DontChaKno: I am not a teacher but work in a secondary
I have 4 children going through the educational system atm and have had a temporary voluntary position within one of the schools. To be honest I commend the teachers on having the guts to go into school each day. Some kids today show little respect for everything and seem to know everything about what they can get away with rather than what they should know. The teachers on the other hand have their hands tied in comparison to latter days when learning was important to children. Nowadays many (not all) just go into school to be disruptive and abusive and then whine when they dont get the grades they need for the highly paid job they want.
terriminx2: I have 4 children going through the educational system atm
While he may have a point, I'd still argue that stress comes in various forms, and people have different degrees of vulnerability when it comes to coping with stress. Availability of help & mental health factors also plays a crucial role.
vividrick: While he may have a point, I'd still argue that
Teaching used to be a vocation and it seems to be claimed by many, but very few can teach. I never hear teachers in Public Schools whinging, and they work 12 hour days!
septic_calling: Teaching used to be a vocation and it seems to
Another government hatchet man brought in to bully the teachers and turn public opinion against them as they have done with many other professions before slaughtering their terms and conditions. My kids have been well educated, but that is possibly because they are polite, attend school every day, behave in class and try hard. There are massive problems with discipline in all schools which is impacting on the ability of teachers to teach the kids that want to learn. I would stake my life on it that the people who moan that their kids don't come out of school as the next Einstein have never read a book to them in their lives and probably don't know if they even attend school most days! This is absolutely nothing to do with quality of teaching and everything to do with slashing budgets, ministers don't care two hoots about the quality of our kids ' teachers, theirs will be going private!!
Itsallbollocksmate: Another government hatchet man brought in to bully the teachers
i was a bad ,but them days the teachers had more power, like clouting us around the ears or whacking us with a stick .but it tought us to be good nowadays they have no say through all these do gooders and i wouldnt like the streess they have nowadays there hands are tied
NOSHER: i was a bad ,but them days the teachers had
At last, somebody who tells it as it is, it seems that all the people in jobs that do not produce any direct profit for the country and who rely on others to earn to pay tax to pay their wages , moan the loudest! of course, when done correctly teaching is important, it is the future of our country, but with the low levels of eduction we are seeing at the moment, the teaching profession, should be looking at its self, marshalling its members, pulling up its own boots! Stop feeling sorry for yourselves!. I have heard over past weeks teachers complaining about having to work till 66 or 68, with comments about the stress of managing a class of children at 65+, well I am sure there are 1000s of manual workers, people who stand at machines all day long, plumbers, carpenters, butchers, who relish the chance to swop, what about the carpet fitter, whose knees are shot at 45? how do the teachers think he is looking forward to working another 20 years plus in pain?
Wether we like it or not, we are all in this together, we have paid ourselves too much and enjoyed the good life for far too long and now have to pay the piper, so please teachers, do not separate yourselves again from the rest of us especially when your work results are so poor, buckle down get on with it, improve our offsprings chances by teaching them to read!
waterside2003: At last, somebody who tells it as it is, it
"all the people in jobs that do not produce any direct profit for the country and who rely on others to earn to pay tax to pay their wages , moan the loudest"
You seem to have pretty good spelling and punctuation. Who should we thank? Is it not a benefit to society? Is there not a monetary value in having an educated workforce?
Concerning the idea of people "relishing" the idea of managing classrooms at 65, the answer is "no". The number of people that start teaching and then drop out within a year ot so is quite alarming.
Michael_II: "all the people in jobs that do not produce any
Hello Michael, the first response to the number of teachers who bale out after first year might be moral fibre, but the truth is the lack of discipline in the classroom that of course results in stress, especially to a very young inexperienced teacher, however we have to ask how we got to this point of lack of respect in the classroom and who is responsible for the current situation, and I'm afraid the blame has to be at the door of the teaching profession itself, we seem to have arrived at a time in our history when nobody says no to anybody under 18, parents want to be their offsprings best friends, teachers cannot punish or touch the children in their charge, if we are serious about sorting out the problems we may have to take some decisions that are not PC! do we have the guts? I doubt it.
waterside2003: Hello Michael, the first response to the number of teachers
We had teachers in our local school complain that it was too cold to teach when the temperature dropped to 60 degrees over 2 weeks. They then complained it was to hot in the middle of summer to teach.
Most of the people who live round here have to work in all types of conditions and temperatures. No one round here has a works pension. When they went on strike most people lost a days pays and we won't get s++t back. How the other half live.
Edgar_H: We had teachers in our local school complain that it
If the teaching job is so attractive and stress-free, why are there literally dozens of vacant head ships in the primary schools in areas around me. Attempts to recruit simply do not produce decent candidates, often NO candidates at all. Ignore these out of touch ramblings by Sir Michael and look at the facts.
Oncewas12: If the teaching job is so attractive and stress-free, why
Wht do people moan and groan about their hardship? They should be getting on with the job! Mind you I suspect the worry of how big their pension is going to be is the real problem.
The unions are not helping supporting these rallies and talking the Public servants into strikes. My message to them all is start giving and not grabbing
mikewilliams2000: Wht do people moan and groan about their hardship? They
Reading through all the comments on this post, it is apparent this is an emotive subject. Of 118 posts, the majority from those who profess to be teachers blame the children, parents, the Government, Ofsted and pressure from the private sector for the stresses of their job. Not one teacher makes any complaint about less enthusiastic colleagues, less capable colleagues or colleagues with a poor attitude to the job. In other words they are blaming everyone bar themselves, something I have found to be the norm amongst this profession.
Teachers do have a vital role to play in society as the guardians and educational guides for our children but they MUST stop complaining about money and pensions (Which will not improve their lot one jot!) and start putting pressure on the Government to ensure proper disciplinary procedures are in place for children, both in the home and school.
I heard a teacher on TV state " I don't want to have to stand in front of and teach children at 67 years of age!" What about the factory worker, the shop assistant, the nurse and all the others? They will still have to do their job!
In an ideal world, we would all retire when our bodies are still functioning well enough to enjoy the fruits of our endeavours, in the real world, this is unaffordable to the masses and teachers, as so called intellects, should be able to recognise this.
ccraiglamont: Reading through all the comments on this post, it is
This debate is about poor quality teachers and teaching, not pensions. The pension is a separate issue. If schools weren't turning out illiterate, innumerate and ignorant young people, teachers would possibly get some sympathy for their pension argument.
Beeem: This debate is about poor quality teachers and teaching, not
A thoughtful response and full of food for thought. There are no easy answers but some humility from teachers instead of selfish industrial action would certainly help their cause.
ccraiglamont: A thoughtful response and full of food for thought. There
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PA | Posted: 10/05/2012 14:27 Updated: 10/05/2012 15:45