Headteachers in Suffolk have spoken of feeling 'intimidated' by 'holier-than-thou' Ofsted inspectors visiting their schools to check on standards.
Zoe Readhead, headteacher at world-renowned Summerhill School in Leiston, which prides itself on its democratic ethos, recalled how she became embroiled in a dispute with the education watchdog in 2000.
Inspectors produced a report which threatened the philosophy the school had followed since opening in 1921, which was that pupils should shape their learning, rather than the other way round, while being able to democratically decide which rules to follow.
The school challenged the report - and eventually the case went to the High Court in London where an agreement was reached which protected the school and its democratic principles.
During the tribunal hearing, the school discovered that it had been included on a secret 'To Be Watched' list of institutions that needed annual inspections.
Zoe described the battle as a 'terrible time, particularly for pupils and parents for whom this kind of education was a strong part of their life values'.
She has called for Ofsted to be a 'kindly advisory body' that could make ties with schools, parents and pupils.
READ MORE: Summerhill documentary celebrates school's centenary
She added: "They all come marching down the drive looking very stiff and rigid. You do feel intimidated and these people come in with a holier-than-thou feeling that they should be treated with respect.
"There has to be a much more humane, supportive and sharing way of dealing with issues."
READ MORE: 'We're really happy': Stowmarket High School head pleased with results day
Her comments were echoed by Rebecca Leek, executive director of Suffolk Primary Headteachers Association (SHPA), who called for more 'professional dialogue' between Ofsted inspectors and school staff.
She said: "It is the relationships. They hold the power and that is what is so destructive and it also means that the system does not allow for professional dialogue.
"A professional dialogue depends on a relationship of equals and the current punitive process prevents professional dialogue."
The headteachers' remarks came in the wake of the death of Ruth Perry, headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, who took her own life while awaiting the results of an Ofsted assessment, which were expected to show her school had been downgraded to 'inadequate'.
READ MORE: Leiston news
Her death has prompted a national outcry against the education watchdog, with protests and schools removing the results of Ofsted inspections from their websites.
The SHPA has also written an open letter to the governing regulators for education.
In the letter, they asked Ofsted to have an 'urgent case review, a suspension of inspections and a pledge that work will begin immediately to reform.'
They are also asking Ofsted whether they are enabling schools to be safe and providing an excellent education for all children.'
READ MORE: Suffolk news
It also states: 'Are you a force for good or a coercive and dangerous force, a Damoclean sword hanging over dedicated professionals for months and years on end?'
SPHA suggested initial points that Ofsted could consider.
These include ceasing one-word judgments, but rather outlining areas for schools to work on, considering an agreed timetable for each school which fits individual circumstances and a complete overhaul of how quality education is judged.
Dave Lee-Allan, headteacher at Stowmarket High School, said the short period of time spent in school and a 'well documented' bias towards middle class schools meant inspectors' judgements were, at least, 'inaccurate and unhelpful'.
He said: "Change is desperately needed. Schools can still be held to account and children safeguarded effectively, but this damaging and brutal inspection process must become more humane, particularly in light of the pandemic which has seen enormous impact on young people and on the schools working to repair the damage."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here