Ofsted inspections pushing headteachers to ‘point of destruction’, union chief says
Paul Whiteman, head of the NAHT union, criticized Ofsted's inspection framework during a speech at the annual NAHT conference in Belfast, arguing it harms school leaders and does not improve education standards. He warned that current inspection practices are pushing headteachers to 'the point of destruction,' citing the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry following a negative inspection. While the NAHT scaled back plans for industrial action after talks with Ofsted and the Department for Education, Whiteman emphasized that the education establishment is 'on notice' regarding the foreseeable risks of the current system.
- ▪Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, claimed Ofsted does not raise standards or serve children during his speech at the NAHT conference in Belfast.
- ▪The NAHT opposed Ofsted's 'Nando’s-style' scorecard inspection system introduced in November 2025, which replaced overall school grades with ratings across six areas.
- ▪Headteacher Ruth Perry died by suicide after Ofsted planned to downgrade her school from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate,' with an inquest finding the inspection was a contributing factor.
- ▪Following talks with Ofsted and the Department for Education, an independent advisory group was created to monitor the impact of inspection changes on headteachers' mental health.
- ▪The Department for Education plans to allocate £4bn to reform special educational needs and disabilities (Send) provision in England, as outlined in a recent white paper.
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Ofsted did not serve children, Paul Whiteman said in his speech to the annual NAHT conference. Photograph: Lbeddoe/AlamyView image in fullscreenOfsted did not serve children, Paul Whiteman said in his speech to the annual NAHT conference. Photograph: Lbeddoe/AlamyTeachingOfsted inspections pushing headteachers to ‘point of destruction’, union chief saysNAHT leader says schools watchdog for England does not raise standards, amid opposition to ‘Nando’s-style’ scoringYassin El-MouddenFri 1 May 2026 12.32 EDTLast modified on Fri 1 May 2026 12.34 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleSchool leaders are being pressurised “to the point of destruction”, the head of a teaching union has said, as he put the education establishment “on notice”.During a speech to the union’s annual conference in…
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