NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union has raised serious concerns over the direction of Ofsted’s proposals for inspection reform. The comments come as NASUWT submits its response to Ofsted’s consultation on inspection. Proposals for the new inspection regime include a school report card and the placing of schools into ‘categories of concern.’

NASUWT’s consultation response raises the alarm over a number of issues with the proposals, including:

• A lack of transparency has meant that stakeholders have had very little scope to comment on and shape the reforms;
• The proposals fail to address or even acknowledge one of the key drivers for reviewing and reforming inspection – the death of the headteacher Ruth Perry;
• The proposals up the stakes of inspection and are likely to increase the workload of teachers and leaders, leading to an adverse impact on their wellbeing;
• The proposals are likely to encourage a focus on compliance rather than supporting school improvement;
• The government wants greater collaboration between schools, but the inspection reforms do not address the factors that underpin collaboration and the suggested approach is still top-down;
• The government is placing great emphasis on more learners who have SEND having their needs met in mainstream schools, but the reforms treat ‘inclusion’ as a bolt on, which is unlikely to galvanise necessary innovation.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“Our members have been clear that Ofsted’s current inspection regime is at best counterproductive, and at worst, dangerous to the health and wellbeing of teachers and headteachers. It is deeply troubling to see that Ofsted’s new proposals fall well short of the changes required to make inspection safe and fit for purpose.

“We are calling for the timeframe for reviewing the future inspection arrangements to be extended to allow for meaningful consultation with the profession. There must be adequate piloting and testing of the proposals, including examination of their implications for workload and wellbeing. It is essential that we have a thorough understanding of how they support school improvement and collaboration between schools.

“Inspection reform cannot and should not be rushed. We must have a system that works for everyone, and that means listening to and acting on the valid concerns of teachers.”