Ofsted graded inspections must be halted amid 'risk to life', union demands

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.

She had been told her school - Caversham primary school in Reading, Berkshire - was being downgraded from "outstanding" to "inadequate", the lowest possible rating.

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."