School inspections in England continue to damage the mental wellbeing of teachers and senior leaders, according to a survey commissioned by Ofsted that casts doubt on efforts to reduce the stress caused by inspectors’ visits.
The independent survey of school leaders who had undergone the revised inspections since last year found that 88% said it had “negatively affected” the mental wellbeing of school staff, including 29% who said it affected them “a lot”.
School leaders called the results a “damning indictment” of Ofsted’s attempts to reform after a coroner’s finding in 2023 that an Ofsted inspection contributed to the mental health deterioration and death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
The Guardian reported last week that education secretary Lucy Powell wants Ofsted to “go back to the drawing board” after hearing complaints that the new format was stressful and damaging to teachers’ mental health.
Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector, said: “The data published today shows that we are on the right track. We are inspecting first and foremost in the interests of children and maintaining high standards, while at the same time improving the experience for the hard-working professionals in our nurseries, schools and colleges.
“I know that workload and wellbeing in education continue to be challenging, and I don’t take that lightly. We will keep listening to feedback from professionals and parents alike as we continue to improve what we do.”
But Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “It is extremely serious that the health of so many educators is being undermined and we do not understand how [Ofsted’s] chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver can then say the system is on the right track. This is clearly not the case.
“The feedback that we receive from our members shows a devastating toll on wellbeing and several have told us they will leave the profession before undergoing another Ofsted inspection. These are highly experienced and resilient professionals who will be lost to the education system.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the wellbeing and workload findings “should stop everyone in their tracks”. He urged Ofsted to release the full survey data rather than a summary.
“Ofsted is once again trying to put a positive spin on a truly terrible situation, showing the profession why it cannot be trusted,” he said.
“The evidence is clear that the framework is still creating unacceptable levels of pressure, workload and stress. It is a damning indictment – certainly not a vindication.”
Fewer than one in four schools agreed to be surveyed after their inspections, leading the authors, IFF Research, to note that its findings had limitations.
Ofsted highlighted the results from all categories, including childminders and further education providers, showing that six out of 10 respondents said their inspection would help them improve.
More than three-quarters of those inspected under the new approach said it had been conducted respectfully, collaboratively and empathetically, while a similar proportion said the inspections “successfully identified” their best elements.
But Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, described the overall results as “rose-tinted,” and added: “Lucy Powell has indicated a readiness to review.
“We want to see a new system that is more supportive, but also fair and effective. It is what the profession is crying out for.”
