Union calls for halt to graded Ofsted inspections over health concerns
England's biggest school leaders' union has called for a halt to graded Ofsted inspections, stating they could pose a "risk to life" for school staff.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) argues that the change to inspections, rolled out nationally just under a year ago, has been severely harmful to school leaders' welfare. They propose a shift to short narrative reports outlining schools' strengths and areas for improvement, instead of graded Ofsted inspections.
Ofsted's Response
Ofsted maintains it has worked closely with unions and parents to develop the new report card inspection system and will continue to grade schools.
The New Inspection System
Last November, Ofsted introduced a report card system to replace its previous one-or-two-word judgements, following the death of head teacher Ruth Perry who took her own life after Ofsted downgraded her school from "outstanding" to "inadequate". An inquest ruled that an Ofsted inspection had contributed to her death.
Criticisms and Concerns
The new system faced criticism upon its introduction, with Perry's sister stating it appeared to be "a rehash of the discredited and dangerous system it is meant to replace."
Nearly a year after its full rollout, the NAHT cites member testimonies suggesting the new system negatively impacts school leaders' mental health. Head teachers describe feeling "overwhelmed" and "anxious", with the pressure from inspections considered "intolerable".
Amanda Hulme, head teacher at Claypool Primary School in Bolton, shared her experience:
"It was definitely damaging to my health and really quite distressing... The effect on my team has also been significant..."
The NAHT claims to have shared examples of these "damaging experiences" with Education Secretary Lucy Powell.
Powell, speaking on LBC earlier this month, expressed her commitment to head teacher well-being, stating:
"I'll continue the work... to make sure that we get this Ofsted framework, but also the culture and the whole regime, right."