England's largest head teachers' union calls for halt to graded Ofsted inspections over health risks

England's largest school leaders' union, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), has called for a halt to graded Ofsted inspections, warning they pose a 'risk to life' due to severe mental health impacts on staff. Despite reforms introduced after an inquest ruled a 2023 inspection contributed to headteacher Ruth Perry's suicide, the NAHT argues the new report card system is even more stressful. While Education Secretary Lucy Powell promised a more supportive regime, Ofsted has rejected calls to pause grading.

NAHT halts graded inspections

• ▪The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) called for a halt to graded Ofsted inspections in England, warning they pose a "risk to life" for school staff.
• ▪A survey of over 5,000 National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) members found that nearly three-quarters of respondents felt school inspections had worsened over the past year.
• ▪The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) proposed that schools should instead be rated using short narrative reports highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
• ▪The High Court in November dismissed a legal challenge by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) that sought a judicial review over the implementation of Ofsted report cards.

School leader mental health

• ▪National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) members reported that Ofsted questions regarding staff wellbeing during school inspections felt purely perfunctory.
• ▪Amanda Hulme, headteacher of Claypool Primary School in Bolton, stated that a recent Ofsted inspection damaged her health, increased her blood pressure, and led her to consider early retirement.
• ▪Julia Waters, sister of the late headteacher Ruth Perry, stated in September 2026 that she had been contacted by at least a dozen teachers left feeling suicidal by Ofsted inspections.

Ofsted report card system

• ▪The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) criticized the new Ofsted report card system's "secure fit" approach as a box-ticking exercise that restricts inspectors' professional judgement.
• ▪Under the new Ofsted framework, schools in England must be labelled as "needs attention" if they do not meet every single criterion.
• ▪Ofsted introduced a new report card system in November to replace its previous one- or two-word judgements with grades across multiple evaluation areas.

Ruth Perry inquest

• ▪An inquest ruled that an Ofsted inspection contributed to the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry in January 2023 after her school was downgraded from "outstanding" to "inadequate."
• ▪Following the death of Ruth Perry, Ofsted inspectors underwent mental health training and were required to ask school leaders about their wellbeing during school visits.

Government response

• ▪Education Secretary Lucy Powell stated she takes headteacher wellbeing seriously and wants an accountability regime that is supportive and understanding of school leaders.
• ▪Julia Waters raised concerns about Ofsted inspections in a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and was offered a meeting with Education Secretary Lucy Powell.

Ofsted defends new framework

• ▪Ofsted stated that many school leaders have found the new inspection framework to be more collaborative and constructive, and plans to publish independent research on its efficacy.
• ▪Ofsted rejected calls to stop grading, stating it will continue to grade schools to raise standards for children and provide clear reporting to parents.