Ofsted inspections should cease, says Association of Teachers and Lecturers

In its manifesto document, the ATL says that schools are already accountable to governors and councils, which makes the current inspection regime unnecessary.

Instead local guidance and support bodies should be created to help schools in England improve and Ofsted should focus on a more strategic role regarding standards in education. The move would save an estimated £70m, according to the ATL.

Other policy initiatives in the manifesto include cuts in school bureaucracy and for teachers to be consulted more on curriculum and exam issues.

Pay for support staff should be protected by national pay scales and the ATL is also calling for sponsors of academy schools to be banned from making a profit.

The manifesto is based on a survey of more than 3,000 ATL members, which took place during December and January.

Dr Mary Bousted, ATL general secretary, said: "Instead of more fancy gimmicks and ill-thought-through ideas, we want things that work and will really make a difference to young people's education. We are not asking for the earth. We are not even demanding vast amounts of spending. Most of what we want is quite simple."