Unions call on gov to scrap inspection reform timetable

The Department for Education (DfE) must scrap plans to introduce its new school inspection arrangements in November and delay its implementation until the start of the 2026/27 academic year, unions have warned the government. 

The general secretaries of NEU, NASUWT, ASCL and NAHT have written to state secretary Bridget Phillipson asking her to delay the introduction of revised inspection arrangements.

They warned that plans to give schools just two months to “digest the detail” of the new Ofsted reforms and prepare for their introduction will “place wholly unacceptable and unjustified pressures” on school leaders and teachers.

They added that the November deadline also “calls into question the integrity” of the public consultation on the reforms to inspection and how any significant evidence for reform that emerges from the consultation could be achieved in just two months.

This comes as Ofsted has now decided to push back the publication of its response to the consultation to September.

Matt Wrack, NASUWT acting general secretary, said: “The decision to postpone the publication of Ofsted’s response to its consultation, but to press ahead with the original timetable for implementation of reforms to inspection is only likely to heap yet further pressure and stress on teachers and school leaders.

“Such a timetable would make a mockery of any claims that the welfare of the teaching profession is the catalyst for Ofsted’s reforms to the inspection system. These are critical changes and it is vital that adequate time is made available for further dialogue, piloting and engagement with the profession before any changes are brought in.”

He added: “Trust amongst the profession over Ofsted is already low and rushing through such significant changes is only likely to further weaken the confidence of teachers and school leaders in the inspection system.”

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said:  “The current system of school inspection is driving a workload and mental health crisis in schools and badly letting parents and carers down. We call, alongside other unions today, on the Secretary of State for Education to intervene urgently. 

“Ofsted’s plans to implement the rollout of a new system in November will only succeed in inspiring a sense of panic across schools. The timescale the inspectorate in imposing on schools highlights how out of touch Ofsted remains. The inspectorate continues to demonstrate a disregard for supporting the mental wellbeing of school staff. It is simply not credible that significant, useful and meaningful change can have been made in the time allowed.”