A survey commissioned by Ofsted suggests that revised school inspections in England are continuing to affect the mental wellbeing of teachers and senior leaders.
Among respondents who had undergone an inspection under the revised approach since last year, 88% said it had negatively affected the mental wellbeing of school staff. Almost three in 10—29%—said the effect had been substantial.
A contested picture of inspection
The findings have produced sharply different responses. Ofsted chief inspector Martyn Oliver said the results showed the organisation was “on the right track”. He said inspections were intended to serve children and maintain high standards while improving the experience of education professionals.
Oliver also acknowledged that workload and wellbeing remain challenging across education. He said Ofsted would continue listening to feedback from professionals and parents.
School leaders and unions viewed the results more critically. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, described them as a “damning indictment” of Ofsted’s reform efforts. He said members had reported a devastating effect on wellbeing, with some saying they would leave the profession rather than face another inspection.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the findings on wellbeing and workload should “stop everyone in their tracks”. He called on Ofsted to publish the full survey data rather than only a summary, saying the evidence pointed to unacceptable pressure, workload and stress.
What the survey also found
The responses were not entirely negative. Six in 10 respondents said their inspection would help their setting improve. More than three-quarters said the inspection had been conducted respectfully, collaboratively and empathetically, and a similar proportion said it had successfully identified their strongest areas.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, described the overall results as “rose-tinted”. He said the profession wanted an inspection system that was more supportive, fair and effective, and noted that education secretary Lucy Powell had indicated a readiness to review the approach.
Why the results need careful interpretation
Fewer than one in four schools agreed to take part in the survey. IFF Research, which conducted the independent study, said the findings had limitations.
Ofsted also highlighted results covering all categories included in its reporting, including childminders and further education providers. That means the figures cited publicly do not necessarily describe only school leaders, even though the survey was described in terms of leaders who had experienced revised inspections.
The concerns come after a coroner found in 2023 that an Ofsted inspection had contributed to the deterioration of headteacher Ruth Perry’s mental health and her death. The Guardian also reported last week that Powell wanted Ofsted to “go back to the drawing board” after hearing complaints that the revised format was stressful and damaging to teachers’ mental health.
The survey therefore presents a mixed but unsettled picture: some respondents saw value in the inspections and reported respectful treatment, while a large majority said the process had harmed staff wellbeing. Its participation rate and stated limitations mean the results should be read cautiously, but they add to the pressure for Ofsted and policymakers to address how inspection affects the people working in schools.
AI tools were used to assist with the preparation of this article.
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