School staff 'express backing' for Ofsted inspections

School staff are largely in support of inspections carried out by Ofsted, a new survey has suggested.

According to the poll of 1,330 people in teaching jobs, 90 per cent believe that their school is aided in setting targets for the future as a result of inspections from the schools watchdog.

And the survey conducted by the National Foundation for Education Research also found that 84 per cent said that having their lessons observed by Ofsted was important.

Furthermore, 85 per cent of respondents stated that they believe improvements in teaching and learning have resulted from school inspections.

The publication of these figures follows a recent Ofsted survey indicating that 90 per cent of parents are in support of the body's checks on schools.

Chief inspector Christine Gilbert welcomed the new survey's findings, but acknowledged that there is more to be done.

"The new school inspection arrangements we are introducing from September 2009 will enable us to make even more of a difference," she stated.

Meet the Teaching Personnel news team >>