Ofsted school inspections face major overhaul amid teacher wellbeing fears

Further changes could be made to school inspections across England, amid reports that the Education Secretary will direct watchdog Ofsted to reconsider how it evaluates inclusion.

Lucy Powell is expected to order modifications to the report card framework, which replaced single-headline grades in November.

The updated system, facing criticism over its toll on teachers' mental and physical health, was launched after headteacher Ruth Perry died in 2023.

The Caversham Primary School head took her own life following an inspection that downgraded her school from the highest rating to the lowest over safeguarding, with an inquest concluding the inspection contributed to her death.

Under the proposed reforms, inspectors will reportedly be instructed to pay greater attention to the socio-economic context of schools and their pupils.

A source told The Guardian: "She wants Ofsted to go back to the drawing board when it comes to measuring inclusion in particular.

"That’s where most of the problems seem to lie."

Speaking at a Labour Party Conference fringe event, Ms Powell said we "absolutely do need to see reforms" to the inspection system.

She said: "I want to see a much stronger emphasis in the current inspection regime on context, much stronger than it is at the moment, and on what is really happening in schools… what progress is really being made, rather than a sort of box-ticking exercise.

"So I think this is one of those areas that it’s not straightforward to sort of move the oil tanker around massively quickly, but we absolutely do need to see reforms there."

Ms Powell added that "accountability and inspection" should operate "in a way that supports and advances school improvement rather than feels like it’s punishing".

The report card system evaluates schools across metrics like attendance, achievement and inclusion, using grades ranging from "exceptional" to "urgent improvement".

Last month, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) demanded a pause on inspections, warning they still present a risk to life. Its survey of more than 5,000 school leaders indicated that nearly three-quarters believed inspection approaches had worsened over the past year.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman stated the new framework is "even more stressful than the one that preceded it".

He added: "It poses a real and present danger to the well-being and mental health of school leaders and teachers, possibly even a risk to life."

A poll of over 1,500 National Education Union (NEU) members in England published last month showed similar outcomes. Roughly two in three (65 per cent) said the framework felt identical or worse, while 26 per cent felt compelled by recent inspections to consider quitting the profession.

Reacting to the potential changes, NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede told the Press Association that members would welcome a framework review.

He added: "Our survey of members revealed chilling levels of stress and anxiety amongst school staff, particularly school leaders.

"Staff and pupils deserve an accountability system that works for all to support schools in providing the first-class education pupils deserve."

Both Ofsted and the Department for Education declined to comment.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you