Headteachers in England are threatening to withdraw their services as part-time Ofsted inspectors unless the government delays and revises proposed changes to the school grading system. The warning comes from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), representing nearly all senior school leaders in England.
In a joint letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Ofsted Chief Inspector Martyn Oliver, the unions said they would “consider encouraging their members to withdraw their services as Ofsted inspectors unless there are changes.” They described this as “an unprecedented step” that underlines the strength of feeling against the reforms.
Ofsted relies on around 900 part-time inspectors, mostly serving headteachers and senior leaders, to assist its 300 officers in conducting thousands of school visits annually. The proposed overhaul would replace single overall grades—such as inadequate or outstanding—with a “report card” format rating up to 11 areas of school performance using five colour-coded grades. Unions fear this will be onerous and unreliable.
The unions criticised the current timetable, with final publication delayed until September and implementation starting in November, calling it “entirely unacceptable.” They said it would “significantly add to workload pressures, negatively affect leaders’ and teachers’ wellbeing and mental health, and further undermine trust in the proposed framework.” Ofsted’s toolkit detailing the changes has also fallen behind schedule.
ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio stated: “We have voiced our concerns repeatedly over the past few months… but the timetable for implementation has actually got worse rather than better. It feels as though we have exhausted the potential for compromise.” Earlier this week, the two unions joined the National Education Union and NASUWT in appealing for a delay until September 2026.
An Ofsted spokesperson responded: “Ofsted exists to keep children safe and raise standards. It is disappointing that unions are taking legal action and using disruption tactics to frustrate our vital work.” Relations have been strained since the 2023 suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose sister described the proposed changes as “a rehash of a deeply flawed system.”
