Brexit to push improving schools down list of priorities as Ofsted chief slams EU exit as ‘national preoccupation’
Amanda Speilman also put a high priority on protecting children from radicalisation
IMPROVING schools will “slide” down the priority list because of Brexit, the new chief schools inspector claimed yesterday.
Amanda Spielman, the new Ofsted boss, put herself at odds with the Prime Minister as she described Britain’s exit from the EU as a “national preoccupation”.
Ms Spielman also fired a shot across Theresa May’s bows as she branded her grammar schools revolution a “distraction” that doesn’t “make the most of every school”.
In her first interview since taking up the reins from Sir Michael Wilshaw, she said leaving the EU will consume so much time and attention other issues may slide down the agenda.
She told The Guardian the next few years “are not going to be an easy time” for inspectors, who look after schools and children’s services.
And she called the PM’s plans to expand grammars a “distraction” from Ofsted’s work.
On Brexit, Ms Spielman said: “The next few years are not going to be an easy time in any of our remits.
“Brexit is obviously a huge, huge - distraction’s the wrong word - national preoccupation.
“In terms of government thinking and government action, it’s something that’s going to be absorbing so much time and attention that it may be harder to get the focus sometimes that we need.”
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Asked if she thought education could be neglected, she added: “Neglected may be putting it too strongly but it may slide a bit further down the priority list.”
Asked for her opinion on opening more grammar schools, she added: “For me it’s a distraction from our work.
“I don’t see it as something that has much to do with making the most of every school, of Ofsted making the most of its work and contributing to system improvement.”
She went on: “It’s not something I want to get involved with. I’m not sure, from what I hear it’s likely to be a relatively small programme, so my preference is just to proceed with our work.”
Her predecessor Sir Michael Wilshaw previously suggested the push to expand selective education, was based on “misty-eyed nostalgia”.
Ms Spielman, whose appointment was criticised because she is not a teacher, said protecting children from radicalisation was a “very significant area” for the watchdog.