Labour would overhaul school inspections in favour of a ‘ light-touch ’ system allowing teachers to assess each other , Tristram Hunt said . A Labour government would overhaul school inspections in favour of a ‘ light-touch ’ system allowing teachers to assess each other , the party ’ s education spokesman has said . Tristram Hunt said a new peer review system would free up teachers from an ‘ avalanche of bureaucracy ’ and increase confidence in the regulation process . The proposals , which would result in Ofsted taking a less hands-on approach , could be a reality by 2020 if Labour was elected , he said . Mr Hunt acknowledged that the regulator had been a vehicle for progress , but said it was beginning to ‘ choke something far more precious ’ , and threaten the ‘ joy ’ of schooling . Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in Liverpool , he said : ‘ We can begin the process of “ mass devolution ” where important powers over professional standards , quality assurance , curriculum development and peer review are handed over to profession-led bodies – and we will . ‘ Ofsted needs to move towards a supportive , light-touch , profession-led , centrally moderated , peer review system of inspection . ‘ I want this conference to hold me to account for moving towards it over the course of the next Parliament. ’ The proposals would see teachers and head teachers helping to assess the performance of other schools . Scroll down for video . Ofsted would regulate this process , although the details of how the system would work have not been finalised . Mr Hunt said : ‘ Let nobody tell you this is a soft touch . Let nobody tell you this is a threat to standards . Rather this is the embodiment of trust , collaboration and a 21st-century approach to rigour and under-performance. ’ The proposals would see teachers and headteachers helping to assess the performance of other schools ( file picture ) He added : ‘ I want to see an inspectorate that moves beyond box-ticking and data-dependence . ‘ I want to see an inspectorate that allows heads with a strong track record the space to innovate and develop a richer criterion of school achievement. ’ Priya Dutta , spokesman for the Campaign for Real Education , said : ‘ The system needs an overhaul , and in general we would welcome proposals for this . ‘ But the problem with peer review is that it ’ s so open to abuse . ‘ We would be sceptical about how impartial this peer review would be , so these things would need to be planned very carefully . ‘ I ’ m slightly wary of Ofsted taking a step back because I think there needs to be an independent teaching review body . I wonder how effective peer review would be in practice . ’
Labour plan to overhaul school inspections so teachers assess each other . Hunt said it would free teachers from 'avalanche of bureaucracy ' New proposals would result in Ofsted taking a less hands-on approach .