London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jun 14, 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
Royal Navy Takes Part in Trooping the Colour for the First Time in 350 Years
Think Tank Warns Labour's European Union Reset Could Carry Significant Economic Costs
UK Semiconductor Centre and Japan's Rapidus Forge Advanced Chip Manufacturing Partnership
UK and Japan Launch Offshore Wind Compact Backed by £9 Billion in Investment
Starmer and Trump Discuss Iran Peace Efforts and Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
United Kingdom and Japan Sign £18 Billion Investment Partnership Focused on Clean Energy and Advanced Technology
Barclays Moves to Acquire GoHenry in Bid to Expand Youth-Focused Fintech Services
UK Lupus Patients Show Remission in NHS Genetic Therapy Trial
London Clean Air Zones Linked to Fewer Emergency Hospital Admissions for Respiratory Illness
UK World Cup Scheduling Research Suggests Energy Bill Savings From Off-Peak Usage
UK Economic Anxiety Rises Among Young People Over Long-Term Job Prospects
NHS Expands Meningitis B Vaccination Programme for School Leavers and New Students
London Ultra-Low Emission Zone Linked to Drop in Emergency Respiratory Hospital Admissions
Derbyshire Police Officer Investigated Over Alleged Use of AI-Generated Evidence in Case Files
UK Parents Back Proposed Under-16 Social Media Ban as Online Safety Concerns Grow
Four Palestine Action Activists Jailed Over Sabotage Attack on Israeli-Linked Arms Facility
Barclays to Acquire GoHenry in Push to Expand Digital Banking for Children and Teenagers
UK Government Reaffirms Defence Spending Commitment Amid Cabinet Pressure and Political Disputes
Belfast Unrest Prompts Security Review as Paramilitary Activity Comes Under Renewed Scrutiny
SpaceX IPO Pushes Elon Musk to Become World’s First Trillionaire After Record Valuation Surge
United States and Iran Near Landmark Peace Framework as Negotiations Reach Final Stages
UK Competition Watchdog Investigates Ryanair Family Seating Charges
Imperial College Study Links London Emissions Charges to Lower Hospital Admissions
Scottish First Minister Launches US Trade Initiative Ahead of World Cup Match in Boston
Fifteen Million Workers Gain Expanded Sick Pay Rights Under UK Reforms
British Retail Investors Secure Record Participation in SpaceX Share Offering
Keir Starmer and Micheál Martin Coordinate Response to Northern Ireland Violence
NHS Prepares for Major Disruption as Resident Doctors Announce Four-Day Strike
Bank of England Expected to Hold Rates as Energy Costs Complicate Inflation Outlook
Britain Moves to Ban Under-16s From High-Risk Social Media Platforms and AI Chatbots
UK Economy Contracts as Middle East Conflict Weighs on Growth
Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns Over Military Spending Dispute With Treasury
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Leadership Crisis After Senior Cabinet Resignations
NHS Trust Secures Funding for AI Tool to Detect Heart Failure Earlier
Government Unveils £4.5 Billion Investment Plan for Walking and Cycling Infrastructure
Nationwide Reports UK House Prices Falling as Borrowing Costs Remain Elevated
Centre for Social Justice Says Two Million Britons Are Using Illegal Loan Sharks
UK Carmakers Warn EU Local Content Rules Could Damage British Manufacturing
UK Government Imposes Emergency Ban on Seven Potent Synthetic Opioids
Royal Navy Completes Major North Atlantic Anti-Submarine Exercise Off Norway
NHS Figures Show Nearly 3,000 Patients a Day Receiving Care in Hospital Corridors
CBI Cuts UK Growth Forecast as Middle East Tensions Drive Inflation Risks Higher
Dan Jarvis Appointed UK Defence Secretary Following Major Government Reshuffle
University College London Study Links Physical Punishment to Higher Risk of Bullying
East Midlands Railway Unveils First Refurbished Train in £60 Million Modernization Programme
RNLI Issues National Water Safety Appeal Ahead of Expected Heatwave
Climate Change Raises Subsidence Risks for Millions of Homes Across Southeast England
Manchester Advances Plans for Underground Piccadilly Station With £1 Million Funding Commitment
Anti-Immigration Violence Continues in Belfast Amid Heightened Security Concerns
UK Law Locks Great British Railways Into Public Ownership
×