Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw today published a report saying that poor discipline in lessons is damaging learning.
The report warns of pupils “chatting, messing around and playing on mobile phones, rather than concentrating on their lessons” and says not enough is being done in schools to challenge the lack of attention and that there is a “culture of casual acceptance” of poor behaviour.
The report has angered head teachers who say that the chief inspector’s claims do not match the “evidence from his own inspection service”.
Brian Lightman, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, rejected the education watchdog’s warnings, saying “If low level disruption is as widespread as he says, it certainly isn’t backed up by inspection grades, which show that pupil behaviour is one of the strongest aspects in schools”.
