The new measures by Ofsted aimed at linking teacher salaries with classroom performance quality may result in their pay being frozen after school inspections. Sir Michael Wilshaw, Chief Inspector of Schools, announced the changes stating that Ofsted will assess whether there is a correlation between the quality of teaching and salary progression. Evaluators will go over anonymous information on performance management related to teachers to guarantee that school heads utilize pay to promote standards. However, teachers’ salaries cannot be influenced by inspectors as it is individuals’ private prerogative.
In February, Sir Michael Wilshaw said that salary increases for the hardest working teachers should only be approved by heads to avoid rewarding those who do not perform to the same level. MPs suggest teachers’ pay be closer linked to the value they add to students’ performance so that the best performing teachers are rewarded, whilst the weakest are discouraged from remaining in the profession.
Christine Blower, the General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, criticized the new measures, stating that paying one teacher more than another for the success that was due to everyone in the school’s efforts is wrong. She deems performance management as a way to encourage teachers to develop their skills, not as a means of judging pay or comparing pupil results. In contrast, Ofsted has dropped plans that entail inspecting schools without warning after protests from the heads. Schools will now be given notice the day before inspectors visit.
In the same announcement, Ofsted reveals new criterion used to define schools as "requires improvement" or in "special measures" for not providing an appropriate level of education. If schools are judged to require improvement at two consecutive inspections, and still not provide quality education at the third, they will be placed into special measures. These institutions will experience an explicit report of their failings and full re-inspection within two years. Wilshaw confirmed the focus will be on the progress pupils make, ensuring schools improve to “good” within four years. School leaders expressed their relief that Ofsted has been attentive to their concerns, and the move indicates a constructive working relationship between the profession and the inspectorate has been established.
