Pushing Back to Ofsted

In January, I received an urgent email from Richard about the impending closure by Ofsted of Wynstones Steiner School in Gloucestershire on the grounds of inadequate safeguarding of the children. In this robust and combative rebuttal of the Ofsted charges, the author highlights fundamental divergences in educational approaches and values where the authoritarian, box-ticking instrumental and compliance philosophy embedded in Ofsted is absolutely at odds with the Steiner developmental process that addresses emotional and spiritual as well as intellectual needs. Richard explains these key differences before going on to a detailed deconstruction of the Report itself, focusing on issues relating to safeguarding and leadership as well as incommensurate pedagogies. The value of the book lies in its rigorous discussion of competing educational philosophies that raise basic questions about the purpose of education. In addition, responses to a survey of parents reveal the extent of the distress and dislocation caused by this closure as their choice of a Steiner School is a very deliberate one arising from their own values – and moving jobs and house to find another Steiner School is no mean disruption.