Third union says it has lost confidence in inspectorate’s leadership
Three education sector unions have now called for the chief Inspector of Ofsted, Sir Martyn Oliver, to step down. On 15 October the NAHT school leaders’ union became the latest, and the third in the last week, to call for Sir Martyn to resign. A meeting of the union’s national executive committee concluded that ‘confidence in Ofsted’s ability to restore trust with the profession has been lost’. It follows similar calls from the National Education Union (NEU) and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). Sir Martyn has been in post as chief inspector since the start of 2024.
Ofsted introduced reforms to inspection following the death of Ruth Perry, Headteacher at Caversham Primary School. The new inspection framework replaced single-word headline grades with a detailed report card system utilising a five-point grading scale, and was intended to be less ‘high-stakes’ and pressured for school staff. However, it has been beset by controversy, with research commissioned by Ofsted itself finding that 88 per cent of school leaders who were surveyed said their inspection had negatively affected their, or their staff’s wellbeing. However, in their own press release announcing the interim research findings, Ofsted did point to figures showing that a clear majority of those inspected under the new approach agreed that their inspection had been conducted respectfully (88 per cent), collaboratively (76 per cent) and empathetically (78 per cent).
The ASCL was the first union to speak out on 9 October, with its council passing a motion of no confidence ‘in the ability of Ofsted’s leadership to address the damage being done by the new inspection system’ and that it had ‘seen no meaningful progress on the part of Ofsted to address significant wellbeing issues caused by inspections.’ The ASCL’s general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio, said: ‘This motion reflects the strength of feeling among our members. It is not a step we have taken lightly but only after our repeated attempts to resolve our concerns through discussion and negotiation have hit a brick wall.’ In their statements both the ASCL and NAHT raised the possibility of future industrial action if their concerns were not addressed.
The ASCL’s motion was followed by a statement from NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede on 14 October. Responding to findings from an NEU survey of around 7000 of its members, which found 98 per cent said they did not have confidence in the current leadership of Ofsted, Mr Kebede said: ‘These figures are stark and overwhelming and show a profession united in demanding change.’ He added: ‘The removal of one-word judgements was meant to signal a re-set and re-balancing which simply hasn’t been delivered. Ofsted casts a huge shadow over the education system and is perpetuating a climate of fear. Sir Martyn Oliver has lost the confidence of the profession and it is time for him to go. The pressure of Ofsted needs to be lifted immediately and Ofsted inspections should be paused while a proper review of the inspection regime takes place.’
An Ofsted spokesperson commented: ‘There is a delicate balancing act at the heart of our work – we must maintain high standards in the interests of children, while at the same time doing all we can to reduce the pressure felt by heads and teachers. We know workload and wellbeing remain a challenge and there is more to do. We are working with the Department for Education, and listening both to parents and professionals, as we continue to improve inspections.’
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