Headteachers in England consider leaving jobs earlier after new Ofsted inspections
In a survey by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), 52% of English headteachers inspected under Ofsted's new regime said they are thinking of leaving sooner than planned. The union calls the findings evidence of the system's failure.
More than half of headteachers in England who responded to a survey after their schools were inspected under the new Ofsted regime are considering cutting their careers short. Ofsted is the government's schools inspectorate in England. The survey was run by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), and 52% of respondents said the inspection had made them think about leaving their post earlier than planned.
The survey drew 242 responses between June and October. Nearly two-thirds (64%) said the new inspections were "much more intense" than under the previous framework, while almost nine in ten (86%) said they struggled with their mental health and wellbeing while inspectors were on site.
Why the system changed
The inspection approach was overhauled after the suicide of primary school headteacher Ruth Perry in January 2023. The changes, introduced a year ago, were meant to ease strain and workload, but many school leaders say they have made matters worse.
One primary headteacher, who has led three schools over 15 years, said they had never felt less able to do the job than during the inspection. A headteacher at a secondary special school said they would leave before the next inspection because of its impact on their personal life.
Reactions
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said the results showed "the unmitigated failure of an unaccountable and out of control inspectorate". Education secretary Lucy Powell has indicated she is considering further changes to Ofsted, but Whiteman said changes that sideline the profession would be wholly insufficient.
Teaching unions have already declared no confidence in Ofsted and threatened strike ballots unless wellbeing problems are addressed. An Ofsted spokesperson acknowledged that some leaders had highlighted the impact on workload and wellbeing, and said the body is working with the education secretary on ways to reduce pressure. The Department for Education said it wants accountability to be collaborative, fair and proportionate.
