The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents senior leaders in many secondary schools, has passed a motion of no confidence in Ofsted and described the inspection system as "an overbearing mess." The union is urging the government to pause inspections to stop teachers leaving the profession.
A spokesperson for ASCL said the union would seek to hold an indicative ballot on industrial action "if change is not forthcoming." The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said it would also consider steps including strike action at a meeting of its leadership next week.
The combative moves follow a survey published by Ofsted showing that 88% of schools reported recent inspections had negatively affected staff wellbeing. The Guardian reported last week that Education Secretary Lucy Powell wants Ofsted to "go back to the drawing board" and overhaul the inspection framework introduced last year. The framework was intended to lower strain and workload, but many heads say the opposite has happened.
ASCL said it had seen "no meaningful progress" from Ofsted to address the significant wellbeing issues caused by inspections, and that it was increasingly concerned about the welfare and morale of its members.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Inspection and accountability are vital, but they must reflect the reality of what is happening in schools, recognise the context they are working in, and support improvement rather than add to the pressures they already face." The department said it was working with Ofsted and school leaders to ensure accountability is fair and proportionate.
An Ofsted spokesperson responded: "We have worked hard to reduce the pressure of inspection in recent years, but we know workload and wellbeing remain a challenge," adding that the watchdog was working with the department and would keep listening to feedback.
Hostility toward Ofsted has been heightened since the death of Ruth Perry, a headteacher in Reading whose 2023 inquest found an Ofsted inspection contributed to her mental health deterioration and death. Labour pledged to reform school inspections in its 2024 election manifesto.