Headteachers threaten strike ballots after losing confidence in Ofsted
Summary
Headteachers in England have lost confidence in Ofsted, the government’s school inspection agency, and are threatening strike ballots unless issues with the inspection system’s impact on staff wellbeing are fixed. Two major unions representing school leaders say the current inspection approach is causing high stress and could lead to more teachers quitting, and they want the government to pause or change inspections.Key Facts
- The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) called Ofsted’s inspection system “an overbearing mess” and warned it could ballot for strikes.
- The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) also plans to discuss possible strike action soon.
- A recent survey found 88% of schools said inspections hurt staff wellbeing.
- Education Secretary Lucy Powell wants Ofsted to rethink the inspection framework introduced last year.
- Ofsted says it is working with the Department for Education to improve the system and reduce pressure.
- The stress from inspections was linked to the death of a headteacher, Ruth Perry, in 2023.
- ASCL said there has been no real progress on fixing wellbeing issues caused by inspections.
- Government officials say inspections are important but should support schools without adding pressure.
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