Ongoing Ofsted inspection worries and mental health risks after death of headteacher
Survey highlights continued negative impact on wellbeing
Concerns over Ofsted inspections and their impact on wellbeing remain a significant issue for many school leaders, despite recent changes to the inspection framework.
A survey of 100 school leaders who experienced inspections under the new system revealed that nearly 70% expressed negative views regarding the effect on their mental health.
Ruth Perry, a headteacher, died in 2023 after her Berkshire primary school was downgraded from its highest to lowest rating due to safeguarding concerns.
An inquest determined that the inspection was a contributing factor to her death.
The inspection system now uses report cards to assess schools in multiple areas, instead of single-word judgments.
However, teaching unions have raised concerns.
They assert that despite these changes, the mental health risk to school leaders remains.
The impact of inspections on school leaders
A report by two former senior inspectors and three academics analysed survey results and highlighted the stress caused by inspections.
Jules, a primary school headteacher, commented: “The toll on heads is high.
My team are resilient and committed, but one deputy said: ‘I can see why Ruth Perry did what she did’.”
Evelyn, another headteacher, described the experience as the worst she had had, adding: “It has not contributed to our wellbeing or school improvement.
I’m not surprised that there is a recruitment crisis for school leadership.”
Frank Norris, a former inspector and author of the report, said: “The damning comments made by the Coroner following Ruth Perry’s tragic death emphasised the risks involved in an Ofsted inspection.
Many leaders feel inspection is no less risky to their wellbeing now than it was during Ruth’s inspection.”
The survey revealed that eight school leaders decided to quit or retire after inspection, a figure described as “deeply disturbing” by authors Frank Coffield and Peter Tymms.
Lack of perceived improvements
Many respondents said that inspectors inquired about headteachers’ wellbeing, but primary head Remy shared: “They would regularly ask ‘Are you OK?’ When I said no, they didn’t know what to do.”
Additionally, almost two-thirds of participants did not perceive the new framework as an improvement on the previous one, and over 80% disagreed that inspection preparation required minimal time.
Heads in schools located in deprived areas reported that their school’s context was not fully considered.
Out of 100 surveyed leaders, 14 reported positive experiences with inspections.
Calls for further reform
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “This independent post-inspection survey provides more evidence on the reality in schools.
It is harrowing to see that a majority of head teachers still find Ofsted inspection to have a negative impact upon their overall wellbeing, and are continuing to leave the profession as a direct result.”
He criticised Ofsted’s claims, describing the notion that inspections do not add to workload as “farcical,” and called for a fundamentally different system that is supportive.
A spokesperson from Ofsted responded: “While we can never remove all pressure from school inspections, we keep leaders’ wellbeing firmly in mind.
We’re pleased that many school leaders have reported that inspection now feels much more collaborative and constructive.”
Meanwhile, a Department for Education spokesperson stated: “Great headteachers transform schools – that’s why we’re backing them with mentoring, coaching and wellbeing support through our Excellence in Leadership offer, keeping the best heads where they belong: in schools.”