Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said: ‘The clear theme emerging across all the feedback we have received is that this Ofsted framework is even more stressful than the one that preceded it’
A new inspection system was intended to address fears over wellbeing following the tragic death of 53-year-old primary school headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023(Image: PA)
Ofsted’s graded inspections must be halted, a major union has demanded amid warnings of “a risk to life”.
The call for action from the biggest school leaders’ union – NAHT – comes almost 12 months on since the introduction of a revised inspection system.
England’s school watchdog replaced the old regime – an overall single-word grade ranging from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’ – with a new 5-point grading scale last year.
It was intended to address fears over wellbeing following the tragic death of 53-year-old primary school headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023.
A coroner at the time had said an Ofsted inspection “likely contributed” to her mental health deterioration and death.
NAHT said it had raised concerns at the start of a new framework that replacing an overall single-word grade would not ease the intolerable pressure on leaders.
The union said a survey of more than 5,000 of its members – conducted in June – found nearly three quarters (72%) felt the direction of travel on inspection had worsened.
It has led NAHT to call for the government to halt the inspection system – and conduct a review.
Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said: “The clear theme emerging across all the feedback we have received is that this Ofsted framework is even more stressful than the one that preceded it.
“It poses a real and present danger to the well-being and mental health of school leaders and teachers, possibly even a risk to life.”
“We warmly welcome the new Education Secretary’s recent words stating how seriously she takes leader wellbeing and her determination to get not just the Ofsted framework, but the whole culture of accountability, right.”
He added: “Really fundamental changes to inspection are needed, and we stand ready to work with the new government to achieve that.
“In the meantime, there remains a risk to the safety of school leaders, which is why we are calling for graded inspections to be halted.”
An Ofsted spokeswoman said: “Ofsted exists to raise standards for children and to provide clear reporting to parents.
“Over the last three years, we have worked closely with teaching unions to deliver significant reforms to how Ofsted inspections work, to reduce unnecessary pressure on teachers. And we involved parents to make sure our new-look inspection reports worked for them – presenting clear, colour-coded grades and detailed information about the school.
“We will continue to engage closely with trades unions – but we will also continue to grade schools.”
Speaking earlier this month, the new Education Secretary Lucy Powell committed to working with headteachers and others to “make sure that we get this Ofsted framework, but also the culture, the whole regime, right”.
She told LBC in early September: “There’s nothing that is more concerning to me as Education Secretary than the idea that our accountability regime in this country would lead to a headteacher to taking their own life.
“It’s just absolutely awful and that is not at all what we should be about, the kind of culture and atmosphere that that is created here.
She added: “So, I take incredibly seriously teacher, headteacher wellbeing and yes, of course we need an accountability structure and regime to continue school improvement.
“But I want to see one that that is much more kind of supportive and understanding of the great jobs that the majority, in fact, you know, almost all headteachers are doing around the country and support them with that.”
