The school inspection system in England is set to undergo another significant revision following numerous complaints regarding its impact on teachers’ mental health and the excessive stress it generates. Education Secretary Lucy Powell plans to instruct the schools regulator, Ofsted, to reconsider its approach after concerns arose that recent changes, initiated by her predecessor Bridget Phillipson, were causing difficulties for headteachers.
While Powell is not seeking to eliminate the new rating system, which evaluates schools on a scale from “exceptional” to “requiring urgent improvement” across six critical areas, she aims for inspectors to better consider the social and economic backgrounds of schools and their students. This forthcoming change will mark the second major adjustment to the inspection framework within a year, following Labour’s commitment to overhaul the previous system in response to the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
According to insiders, Powell’s focus will particularly address issues related to inclusivity, which have been highlighted as problematic within the current inspection criteria. This initiative represents a notable departure from the policies implemented by Phillipson, who currently serves as the equalities minister and chair of the party.
Last year, Powell and Phillipson were rivals in a contest for Labour’s deputy leadership, a competition marked by tension and disputes among their respective supporters. Following his ascent to Downing Street, Andy Burnham appointed Powell as education secretary, recognizing her longstanding alliance with him.
During a recent Labour Party conference, Powell expressed her desire for a heightened emphasis on contextual factors within the inspection framework, stating, “I want to see a much stronger emphasis in the current inspection regime on context, much stronger than it is at the moment.” She acknowledged that while significant changes may take time, reforms are necessary.
Ofsted has not provided comments on this development. The inspectorate is currently conducting an independent review of the new inspection framework, with an interim report expected later this year.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, expressed optimism that the government is responding to feedback from parents, experts, and educators regarding the inspection process. He emphasized the importance of fairness and the need for an inspection system that accurately reflects the various challenges schools face, particularly those in disadvantaged areas or with higher rates of students requiring special educational support.
Whiteman remarked, “Inspection should take account of the circumstances in which schools are operating, while recognizing the tremendous work many are doing to support children facing the greatest barriers. There is a need for an inspection system that is rigorous and proportionate and which genuinely supports school improvement.”
The new “report card” approach, which was introduced last year, replaced Ofsted’s traditional grading system of “outstanding” to “inadequate” with a more nuanced evaluation method intended to alleviate pressure on schools. Although the initial reaction from teachers was positive, some critics warned that the new system could complicate parents’ ability to assess school performance.
However, since its implementation, the new inspection framework has faced a wave of criticism from school leaders who claim it exacerbates stress and negatively impacts their mental health. Prof. Julia Waters, sister of the late Ruth Perry, revealed last month that numerous teachers had reached out to her, disclosing feelings of extreme distress and suicidal thoughts linked to Ofsted inspections. Amanda Hulme, headteacher of Claypool Primary School in Bolton, described her latest Ofsted inspection as the most stressful experience of her professional life.
Teachers’ unions have called for immediate relief from the pressures of the new inspection system, with some advocating for an end to the grading of schools altogether. A survey of educators conducted under the new regime indicated that two-thirds found it just as stressful, or more so, than the previous framework. Additionally, three-quarters of respondents reported negative effects on their mental health, with one primary school teacher characterizing the experience as a “circle of stress and fear.”
Powell is particularly concerned that schools in more challenging environments may be disadvantaged under the current system. A study by former Ofsted inspector Steve Wren revealed that schools with higher proportions of students eligible for free school meals or requiring special educational needs support received lower ratings than average. His analysis also indicated a correlation between secondary school ratings and students’ previous academic performance, raising questions about whether inspectors adequately consider prior attainment levels.
Wren concluded, “Do these grades represent the reality that secondary schools with lower prior attainment are doing a markedly worse job of educating their pupils, or is the framework biased against them, or are inspectors not skilled at spotting strengths in such contexts?”
