Nursery World - Tormented by a paper ogre

By Rosemary Williams, principal of Stables Nursery School in Lingfield, Surrey Once upon a time a well-qualified, experienced teacher who loved her work would give it her best every day, eagerly greeting the children, helping them to learn through play and always making time for them. She would chat to their parents about any concerns and help to sort out any problems. She also ensured a smooth transition for her pupils for their future schools.

Once upon a time a well-qualified, experienced teacher who loved her work would give it her best every day, eagerly greeting the children, helping them to learn through play and always making time for them. She would chat to their parents about any concerns and help to sort out any problems. She also ensured a smooth transition for her pupils for their future schools.

All was well. In the evenings and at weekends she rested and relaxed. This benefited the children in her care.

Then one day a big, bad, paper-consuming ogre called Ofsted arrived with its relatives in the ivory tower of a huge, enclosed castle. Ofsted would send many letters to the teacher (now called 'practitioner') or arrive at her school (now called 'setting') with its zealous demands. Up and down the land could be heard its cry, 'Fee, fi, fo mess, I demand more work to cause you stress.'

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