Deepening concerns plague Ofsted inspection reforms
Four major education unions have come together to demand that the Department for Education delay Ofsted inspection reforms until at least September 2026.
In a strongly-worded joint letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the National Education Union (NEU), NASUWT, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) expressed profound concern over the current rollout plans.
As the voice for all 1,150 schools in our region, these concerns resonate deeply with our own long-standing advocacy
Schools North East: A consistent voice for the region’s schools
We’ve been relentlessly pushing for a more supportive and less high-stakes accountability system. Through our surveys, roundtables, and direct talks with policymakers, Schools North East has consistently flagged major issues with Ofsted’s current approach and their proposed changes.
Our Spring Head Teacher Advisory Board meeting featured a direct and invaluable discussion with Lee Owston, National Director at Ofsted, on the proposed inspection reforms, providing our school leaders with a critical opportunity to raise their concerns firsthand.
A top issue was the lack of meaningful consultation on these reforms, with over 90% of our survey respondents feeling unheard. Our school leaders explained that they’re frustrated that the process feels predetermined, raising a critical question: who is truly leading these reforms – Ofsted or the DfE?
As a network, we remain deeply concerned about Ofsted seemingly taking on a policymaking role, especially around the undefined concept of “inclusion,” which should be the DfE’s responsibility. We are continuously pressing for greater clarity and transparency in this process, demanding genuine school leader engagement.
Another major apprehension for our schools is a potential shift back to a data-led inspection model, which could reverse progress made under previous Ofsted leadership. Historically, a rigid focus on attainment data disproportionately disadvantaged schools serving vulnerable communities in the North East.
There remains a real fear the new framework will reinstate this data-first approach, potentially pre-determining school ratings and making it harder for disadvantaged schools to achieve positive outcomes.
Pressure mounts as Ofsted inspection reforms are fast tracked
The watchdog recently announced that it intends to publish its finalised post-consultation inspection framework in early September 2025 and begin inspections under this new framework just two months later, in November. So what has happened to Ofsted’s earlier assurances that schools and inspectors would be given a full term to familiarise themselves with any changes?
Union leaders rightfully argue that the short notice will create immense pressure on schools already grappling with staffing shortages, accountability burdens, and recovery efforts following years of disruption.
Inspectors themselves left in the dark
The issue of insufficient preparation time not only for schools, but for Ofsted inspectors themselves, has been repeatedly raised by many different organisations. As pointed out in the union’s letter, inspectors would have far less time than originally anticipated to familiarise themselves with reformed inspection arrangements and the expectations it would place on them.
This is particularly troubling in the context of significant proposed changes, including the introduction of new school report cards that would rate institutions across up to 11 distinct areas using a five-point grading scale — a move seen by many leaders as overly complex and burdensome.
“Unprecedented step”: Unions consider withdrawing inspectors
In an escalation of their campaign, the NAHT and ASCL have now warned they are seriously considering encouraging their members to withdraw from their voluntary roles as Ofsted inspectors unless substantial changes are made to both the content and timeline of the reforms.
Describing the move as an “unprecedented step”, they emphasised that this was not a decision taken lightly and expressed hope that the DfE and Ofsted would engage constructively to avoid such action.
As we know, the potential withdrawal of school leaders from inspection teams would be a significant blow to Ofsted’s current inspection model, which relies heavily on the participation of serving practitioners to lend credibility and sector expertise to the process.
A sector on the brink
The coordinated response from the unions reflects a sector at breaking point. Many school leaders feel that the introduction of sweeping inspection changes, with little warning and minimal consultation outcomes shared, risks destabilising an already pressured system.
Of course, we would all acknowledge that the current accountability system needs reform, but rushing in a complex and high-stakes framework during the middle of an academic year, and without adequate notice, is irresponsible and counterproductive.
The message of unions and Schools North East to both Ofsted and the Department for Education is clear: genuine reform requires collaboration, adequate preparation, and a realistic timeline. Anything less risks undermining the very aims of school improvement and educational standards.
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Hear from Ofsted’s National Director, Lee Owston, at Summit 2025
On Thursday 16 October at St James’ Park, Newcastle, Ofsted’s National Director will join us as a keynote speaker at the Schools North East Summit 2025.
Lee Owston is one of His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) and National Director, Education. He leads Ofsted’s Education Directorate, overseeing inspection policy and practice in early education, state-funded schools, non-association independent schools, unregistered schools, further education and skills, teacher development and Area SEND, including alternative provision. This includes the development and delivery of inspector training.
