Monday, December 14, 2009

Is it right that a school inspection should promote such fear and alarm that it can destroy a person's entire world?











Dear All

Something is going sadly wrong when a school inspection leads to suicide.

The Irene Hogg case is tragic not just for her family but for the parent, teachers and children of the school she so loved.

The inquiry into her death reveals that inspectors saw this head teacher appeared to wipe away a tear after the critical report into her school.

This should have set alarm bells ringing and people moving to support her.

The school inspections by Majesty's Inspectorate of Education appear to generate fear when they should be seen as a learning aid and tool for improvement.

Irene Hogg gave her life to education, it was her world but the help she so sorely needed wasn’t there, she had trouble coping and was found dead in a remote part of the Scottish Borders after inspection at Glendinning Primary in March 2008.

Not everyone is alike and some people need more help than others at various times, doesn’t make them bad teachers, everyone needs help.

When Irene Hogg was presented with her report, the people doing it should have taken into account what the effects of their inspection process have on people.

It is not the first time that people have mentioned the dread of school inspectors visits, even at Colleges, the fear factor is just as intense.

Although it is said that that the report Irene Hogg received wasn’t a strong report, if you are going to criticise the surely you should present solutions as well.

There seems to be something missing from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education and perhaps it is about time that someone addressed the issue of presentation.

It should be remembered that Irene Hogg gave 19 years of dedicated service to the community; it is time that someone spoke her for her and addressed the issue of why inspections have become such fearful events.

The SNP Government should set up a review and look closely at these issues.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

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