London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Oct 02, 2026

Parents report schools to Ofsted for being superb after being told to complain

Parents report schools to Ofsted for being superb after being told to complain

Ofsted has been inundated with emails since schools were forced to close due to lockdown – but most have been from parents praising the work of teachers.

On Wednesday Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urged parents with concerns about the quality of the remote learning on offer could raise them directly with the watchdog.

But instead it appears people have taken upon themselves to spread some positivity and have only contacted Ofsted with positive comments about schools.

According to Schools Week, more than 5,000 emails were sent in the tail end of last week with most praising the work of teachers in difficult circumstances.

Dad Rob McCann from Lincoln was one of those who felt compelled to write in. Sharing his email on Twitter, he said: ‘I felt I had no choice but to report my children’s school to Ofsted. Feel free to do the same…’

His letter said had had been ‘thoroughly impressed’ with the education that his two sons had been receiving. ‘The teachers are working tirelessly to set home learning and teach key worker children. The communication has been superb and on work submitted, our boys continue to receive superb feedback.’

Another parent who turned the tables on Gavin Williamson’s instructions wrote: ‘I’m writing to let you know that, despite just 12 hours notice and no help with devices, [my son’s] primary school are delivering really good online learning.’

Writing in support of his child’s school, Sim Crowther from Oxfordshire said: ‘It is without doubt that the ridiculously late (yet correct) decision on Monday night to close the schools has put a huge pressure on all of the staff and teachers at the school. However, yet again, this has not phased them in the slightest and they have excelled in providing resources and support for both my child and myself.’


Education Secretary Gavin Williamson ahead of giving his statement in the House of Commons


Milly, 8, takes part in an online school lesson from home as the country started the third lockdown


It’s after the Education Secretary’s comments about referring schools to Ofsted were dismissed as ‘tone deaf’ on Wednesday.

Mr Williamson told parents to raise any concerns they had with teachers and head teachers first but then go to Ofsted directly.

The schools inspectorate was apparently blind-sided by the announcement. The Telegraph reported senior leaders had not been told about their new role before it was announced in the House of Commons.

Teachers criticised the announcement which was made just two days after lockdown had forced all schools to close for the majority of pupils again for the second time in a year.

The Government only unveiled its expectations for online learning on Thursday afternoon. Schools are expected to provide between three and five hours a day and have been told to help ensure all pupils have the right technology in order to get online.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Councils to Receive Sweeping Planning Powers to Ban New Vape and Betting Shops
Chancellor John Healey Faces Tax and Pension Scrutiny Ahead of Autumn Budget
Metropolitan Police Apologise for Accidental Disclosure in High-Profile Investigation
UK Universities Report Record International Enrolment as Housing Pressure Grows
UK Logistics Firms Monitor Rhine Disruption as Low Water Threatens European Supply Chains
UK Food Industry Warns Inflation Could Approach 7%
UK Introduces Vaping Duty and Mandatory Retail Stamps
Scotland Raises Property Taxes and Expands Child Payment in Annual Budget
Greggs Plans Four Factory Closures With 740 Jobs at Risk
OECD Raises UK 2026 Growth Forecast to 1.1%
UK Inflation Rises to 3.1% as Bank of England Faces Rate Debate
Andy Burnham Criticises Brexit and Says Rejoining EU Single Market Remains an Option
UK Imposes New Sanctions on Russian Military Networks and Propagandists
UK Launches Nationwide Early-Release Prison Scheme
Andy Burnham Says Security Services See Signs of Iranian Involvement in RAF Fairford Incident
Manchester City Found Guilty on Premier League Financial Charges After Independent Investigation
Scottish Court to Rule on Bid to Force No-Confidence Vote Against Aberdeen Council Co-Leader
UK Bans Extra Charges for Seating Children Under 12 Beside Accompanying Adults
UK Introduces Vaping Duty and New Licensing Requirements
Greggs to Close Four UK Factories and Cut 740 Jobs
Hundreds of Prisoners Released Early as England and Wales Prisons Reach 98% Capacity
UK Unveils New Russia Sanctions Targeting War Funding and Shadow Fleet
Burnham Says There Are Strong Indications of Iranian Involvement in RAF Fairford Security Breach
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Raises Prospect of Reviewing Britain's Post-Brexit EU Relationship
Markets Price in Bank of England Rate Increases as Inflation Rises to 3.1%
UK Borrowing Costs Climb Toward 5.5% as Global Bond Sell-Off Intensifies
UK-France One-In-One-Out Migration Agreement Expires as London Seeks Alternative Measures
Southwest England Faces Flood Alerts After Heavy Autumn Storms
UK Expands Funding for Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Welsh Government Approves Funding to Upgrade South Wales Transport
Northern Ireland Tensions Rise as Orange Order Rejects Drumcree Compromise
NHS Leaders Back Early Design of Proposed National Care Service
More Than One-Third of Regional UK Universities Face Financial Deficits
UK Current Account Deficit Narrows as Cross-Border Financial Flows Remain Strong
Bank of England and FCA Issue New Rules for Stablecoins and Digital Assets
MI5 Warns UK Universities Over Research Links With Chinese Institutions
UK Energy Price Cap Rises 4% as Electricity VAT Is Temporarily Suspended
Equity Calls for UK Personality Rights to Protect Performers From AI Replication
OpenAI Pauses Advanced Model Training Following Safety Concerns
Scottish Government Proposes Replacing 32 Councils With Larger Regional Authorities
Ofgem Raises UK Household Energy Price Cap by 4% From October
UK Counter-Terrorism Police Continue Investigation After Five Arrests Near RAF Fairford
OECD Cuts UK 2027 Growth Forecast to 1%
Labour Says State Pension Triple Lock Remains Protected Through Current Parliament
Andy Burnham Pledges National Care Service With Free Social Care in England
Six Flags Permanently Shuts Landmark X2 Roller Coaster Following Safety Scandals
Metropolitan Police Rule Out Terrorism in Golders Green Stabbing Investigation
Lithium-Ion Battery Identified as Cause of Fatal Merseyside House Fire
UK Department Rejects New Sea Use Framework Due to Stakeholder Fatigue
Major Thames Water Pipe Burst Causes School Closures in London
×