John Samson: Scrap school inspections completely

The proposal to reduce school inspections carried out by HMIe (The Scotsman, 23 September) should be welcomed as a first step towards scrapping them altogether. During a teaching career spanning four decades, I was "inspected" on at most four occasions, each visit lasting less than the full lesson. No benefit accrued to myself or the pupils.

I asked one inspector if he had seen good examples of work for the less motivated in my subject. He said it was not his job to tell me.

In advance of their arrival, the inspectors would demand completion of fatuous paperwork, minutes of department meetings, development plans, etc. No feedback was provided, and it is questionable if these were ever examined. Every inspection team was characterised by a self-importance out of all proportion to the value of the exercise. One lead inspector was memorable for his ignorance of the unique nature of our catchment area, his insensitivity to the reality facing teachers and, above all, his gullibility. The report claimed staff did not share the headteacher's vision. It was news to us he had one.

All too often, however, conscientious headteachers are damned by these reports, sometimes because of a combination of circumstances outwith their control. The hapless head "moves on" and the education authority parachutes in a new one who invariably "turns the school round", having been given financial and staffing support that was somehow not available to his predecessor.

In effect, the inspectorate have been conning the public for years. They do not maintain standards. Their visits distract and disrupt. They have no statutory power to insist that facilities be upgraded. Personnel have little if any teaching experience. Should the HMIe be disbanded, they will not be missed.

As for the public's right to know how good a school is, reports by inspectors are nowhere compared to personal recommendations from parents.

• John Samson is a former principal teacher of chemistry at Broughton High School, Edinburgh.