There has been a vast increase in teaching workloads, and administrative duties. But poor results are placed entirely at the door of teaching staff. The establishment of Ofsted by the previous Conservative government was part of a market-oriented approach to education, now fully embraced by Labour. The inspections it carries out are meant to facilitate the government's creeping privatisation of the comprehensive state education system. Ofsted started statutory inspections of all LEAs in England approximately 30 months ago, and has now visited 75, around half the total.
Ofsted inspectors are part of teams operated by private contractors.
Contractors then charge exorbitant sums for consultancy fees and the tendering out of school services. Companies that are offering services to schools and colleges are stock market high flyers. The sector has grown at 30 percent per annum over the last few years and is expected to expand still further as the Labour government contracts out entire LEAs to private companies. The government has now recommended intervention in a total of 15 LEAs, including large urban authorities such as Leeds. It recently extended its list of approved consultants and providers in anticipation of the need for further action.