This week the Government announced they were scrapping single headline Ofsted judgements for schools with immediate effect.
Rita Poulson said her husband Rocky Poulson was called an 'incompetent' farmer and wants the use of this 'destructive language' to change.
Ms Poulson has always made clear she does not blame the individual inspector, but the culture and the overall inspection system for farming.
By Rita Poulson
The recent announcement of change in the education sector regarding the use of destructive language in Ofsted inspections resonates with the farm inspection that caused my husband to take his life last year. There are clear similarities with the Ruth Perry case.
With Rocky it was being called an 'incompetent' farmer - with Ruth it was that her school was 'inadequate'. Language is a powerful tool and words can be very damaging. Like the Ofsted system, a judgement made by inspectors visiting for a short time cannot recognise all the issues that affect the current situation.
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Language
Inspections are often carried out by personnel who do not have qualifications in the area of assessment. In farming there are variables due to weather, soil conditions and personnel, just as schools have different children, teachers and circumstances.
An accidental misunderstanding regarding sheep tags made Rocky fear that another inspection would follow, which he could not face. The safeguarding provision was considered deficient in Ruth Perry's school.
Inspection culture
The criticism made during the inspection made my husband feel unappreciated and despondent. The shame, injustice and consequences of the inspectors' judgment made Ruth Perry feel inadequate. The effects of an inspection have devastated our family just as that of the headmistress. Rocky's farm has to be reorganised and even the inspector's life must be affected. Caversham School has a new head.
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'Fear and devastation'
In both situations the words used were destructive, but what is the culture of inspections really trying to achieve? How can complex organisations be appraised in a few words? The inspection system, or whatever it is called, is a very blunt tool which creates fear and devastation. It has a negative impact on those inspected who are, for the most part, trying to do a good job. Surely it is not just words but the whole approach which must change?
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Supporting farmers
We need a more supportive ethos and a more caring system whether it is producing food or nurturing young minds. Future generations may look back and say that such inspections were oppressive and draconian.
We need deep and broad reform in order to encourage high standards without the fear and psychological destruction that is currently in place. There have been too many casualties.
Greater change is needed.
