How Teaching has Changed - But not for the Better

After reading this week's 'Secret Teacher' in the Guardian, the point I want to make is that if the 'decision makers' had to live the life of a teacher for a year they may be less inclined to impose all the unnecessary tasks upon teachers. Tasks that actually impede the learning of the students. When I began my teaching career in 1970, teachers had autonomy, teaching was fun and so there was a relaxed atmosphere in the classroom.  The students sensed that and much more learning was done as a result because teachers were allowed to focus on 'what increased learning' instead of what kept Ofsted at bay. In those days the students mattered, now it is statistics that matter.