Assess teaching reforms impact call

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A massive programme to cut the workload of teachers by hiring thousands of extra classroom assistants across England has improved conditions for staff, Ofsted said.

But inspectors warned that most schools saw this as an aim in itself, instead of monitoring whether the reforms had made any impact on standards.

Ofsted directed its comments at one of the Government's key education reforms - a national deal between unions and ministers designed to free teachers from paperwork and give them more time to plan lessons.

In a new report, Reforming and Developing the School Workforce, inspectors said: "A key principle of the national agreement, which was to provide time for teachers to focus on teaching and learning, had been realised in nearly all of the schools visited.

"However, as most of the schools did not monitor and evaluate the impact of the reforms on pupils' learning, they had little firm evidence to show whether standards were rising as a result."

The report added: "Most schools interpreted the aims of reducing teachers' workloads, improving work-life balance and extending the roles of support staff as outcomes in themselves, rather than setting them within the context of improving the quality of education and raising standards."

However, Schools Minister Jim Knight welcomed the report's findings that teachers have more time to give to pupils, thanks to the workload reforms.

"We're pleased this report acknowledges the enormous positive impact that the changes in staff workload and day-to-day practices have had on schools," he said. "There are 36,000 more teachers and more than 100,000 additional teaching assistants in our school now compared to 1997, and we are pleased that teachers and pupils are beginning to reap the benefits of this investment."

"We have always been clear that schools have to use these resources wisely to raise standards, and we have worked closely with unions, training agencies and school leaders to help deliver effective approaches on the ground," he added.