Macclesfield parliamentary candidate would scrap OFSTED
By Alex Greensmith
1st Jul 2024 | Local News
A man who wants to be Macclesfield's next member of parliament would get rid of OFSTED.
Christopher Wellavize, Independent, revealed his opinion at the Tytherington School hustings on Saturday June 29.
OFSTED, a body introduced by John Mayor's Conservative government in 1992, ensures education, training and childcare is at a high standard in England.
An OFSTED report, grades schools and nurseries in Macclesfield by one word judgements. These are either 1 (Outstanding), 2 (Good), 3 (Satisfactory) and 4 (Inadequate).
Mr Wellavize revealed his view when answering the question from Tytherington School pupils 'What is your vision for education and how would you pay for it?'
"First of all, I would get rid of OFSTED," he said.
"I don't think it helps having one word description of schools.
"Schools are a very complex place.
"It should be a pleasure to go to school, for both pupil and teacher.
"Teachers should be valued hugely by the society that we live in."
No other Macclesfield candidate has spoke in public about OFSTED, to Macclesfield Nub News' knowledge.
The Liberal Democrats - which Chris briefly represented in the 2000s - were pro-scrapping OFSTED in 2018. However, in 2024 their manifesto now only wishes to reform it.
The Lib Dems - represented in this Macclesfield General Election by Neil Christian - also want to scrap the four one word judgements, previously mentioned in this article.
Labour also wants to scrap single word judgments, but replace them with 'report cards'.
Ofsted employs 1275 people. Inspectors - who are predominantly headteachers or school leaders - come into schools and write a report on how they are performing.
But according to mental health charity Charlie Waller Trust, 'the fear of judgment and criticism during inspections results in stress and anxiety among teachers and leaders'.
At the same hustings, David Rutley (Conservative), who has won the last four general elections in Macclesfield cited OFSTED figures as a reason to vote Conservative.
"Since 2010% 90% of schools are good and outstanding, up from 68%," said Mr Rutley.
Mr Wellavize (Independent) also indicate that schools should be places where you can freely suggest ideas, rather than following a rigid structure.
"I enjoyed school, I loved sport, I wasn't so keen on classrooms, I liked to be outside in nature studies," he also said.
"I didn't particularly like exams, I passed them but I didn't like them.
"I don't think testing all the time is good for people.
"I want children to enjoy all of school. I want teachers to enjoy being brilliant about what they do.
"And if they have got a bright idea, I want them to bring those ideas to the classroom.
"Schools don't need masses of money just goodwill from the community, they just need support from parents, support from government and then you have great education."
Mr Wellavize is one of seven candidates on the ballot paper in Macclesfield for July 4.
The candidates are: Stephen Broadhurst (Reform UK), Neil Christian (Liberal Democrats), Dickie Fletcher (Social Democratic Party), Amanda Iremonger (Green Party), Tim Roca (Labour Party), David Rutley (Conservatives), Christopher Wellavize (Independent).
For more general election news stories in Macclesfield, please click HERE.
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