The former head of Ofsted has accused the Education Secretary of prioritising unions’ interests above children.
Amanda Spielman, who was chief inspector of the schools watchdog from 2017 to 2023, has called on Bridget Phillipson to drop proposed reforms.
Her comments come ahead of a hearing into the Governnment’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill today when MPs will try to make amendments.
Critics have claimed that the Bill will significantly reduce freedoms for academies – state-funded schools – which have long been opposed by the teaching unions.
Ms Spielman told the Telegraph: ‘It is hard to understand the motivation, beyond being seen to be different, though the new minister is clearly giving a great deal of time and attention to the desires and demands of unions.
‘Unions will always defend the interests of the adults in schools over those of children… I do hope she will think again, before the damage is done.’
The proposed changes include forcing academies to teach the national curriculum for the first time and strip them of their power to recruit expert teachers who do not have official qualifications.
Amanda Spielman (pictured) who was chief inspector of the schools watchdog from 2017 to 2023, has called on Bridget Phillipson to drop proposed reforms
Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson
A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘Our landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – alongside our new regional improvement teams and Ofsted reforms – delivers on our mission for every child to have a good, local school, will get high-quality teachers into every classroom, and ensure that all schools can innovate to attract and retain the best talent.’
MPs will also argue today that smacking children should become a criminal offence following cases such as the murder of ten-year-old Sara Sharif by her father and stepmother in 2023.
MPs and other campaigners will try to amend the Bill to remove the legal defence of ‘reasonable punishment’.