The extent and pace of change in the inspection of primary schools over the past 15 years has over-burdened teachers and led to heightened stress within the profession.
Researchers at Cambridge University found that cultural and political expectations of inspectors and politicians had conflicted with "the holistic and humanist values" of teachers.
But inspection also had a positive side. They inspired solidarity and support between colleagues. And one successful head suggested her school would not have clawed its way up from the bottom of the league tables without them.
The study into quality assurance by Peter Cunningham and Philip Raymont, as part of the Primary Review, examined the procedures for monitoring, assuring and maintaining quality in primary education. It noted that inspection of schools has been going in some form since 1839, and there were cases dating back more than 100 years of teacher suicides as a result of inspectors' judgements.
The study found that the use of of inspections to achieve accountability was linked to educational expenditure, which had been used to "to control teachers as well as schools". Inspections had led to teachers doubting their abilities and competence.
But some teachers welcome them.
The report comes after The TES revealed that the new "light touch" inspection regime has led to almost every school visited last year finding its overall verdict matched the verdict on pupils' standards.
