A NEW independent inquiry has been set up to evaluate the current inspection system for schools within the UK. 

Beyond Ofsted, which has been sponsored by the National Education Union (NEU), looks to assess the current problems within the Ofsted framework and put solutions forward as to how the system can be changed for the betterment of pupils, teachers, and schools as a whole. 

The inquiry comes at a time in which schools across the country are removing Ofsted logos and references to their websites in the wake of the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while waiting for a negative inspection report.

Louise Atkinson, National President for the NEU, said it's for the 'inquiry to decide' but hopes they will consider the removal of a one-word branding system for education facilities. 

READ MORE: List of school closures due to industrial action in Cumberland Council area

"The fact Ofsted still holds the one-word judgment in value and that they continue to have confidence in them I find quite unbelievable.

"For any educator, the concept of boiling down whatever happens in a school to a one-word judgment is just bizarre," she said. 

With national teacher shortages up and down the country, including Cumbria, the current Ofsted regime is only adding to the problem, Ms Atkinson said. 

"Recruitment has become more and more difficult in Cumbria. 

"When we look at wages for a teacher and compare it to cost-of-living across the country, we do have London weighting, but other than that teachers are paid essentially on a standard pay scale. 

"The fact is, in Cumbria we are struggling and that is a massive concern, Ofsted plays a part, poor pay plays a part and workload as well. 

"The majority of workload teachers do, over and above outside of classrooms, is often producing evidence in preparation for an Ofsted inspection," she said.

As discontent amongst teachers continues, schools across Cumbria are set to be disrupted today (April, 27) as the latest round of teachers’ strike action begins.