School leaders warn of possible industrial action over Ofsted plans

Nearly 2,000 school leaders have indicated they would support industrial action over Ofsted’s proposed new inspection framework, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has found.

A snap poll during an online meeting of members found 89% in favour of the union exploring action if the changes go ahead. The leaders, representing schools educating almost 900,000 pupils, raised concerns that the continued use of single-word judgements would perpetuate a “high-stakes” system.

Members said the proposals risked harming the mental health of staff while offering parents little clarity on a school’s effectiveness. Some also argued the reforms had strayed from their original purpose – addressing issues raised by the death of Berkshire head teacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life following an inspection in 2023.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “This was the biggest turnout we have had at a meeting of our members since the pandemic, and the strength of feeling was palpable. We heard loud and clear that these plans simply do not have the support of the profession and should not go ahead in their current state.

“Rolling them out would pose clear risks to the health and wellbeing of school leaders and teachers. The worrying findings of Ofsted’s own independent wellbeing assessment should have been a red flag, but instead it has rushed ahead regardless.”

Angi Gibson, NAHT president, added: “It will be impossible for inspectors to judge schools definitively across so many areas during what is simply a two-day snapshot.

“It risks unfair judgements, which mislead parents, while also piling workload onto schools. Parents were not asked if they would support a system which serves them with unreliable information while damaging the wellbeing of school leaders and teachers.”

The revised inspection framework is due to take effect in November.