The headteachers' union NAHT has warned that Ofsted's new report card system is 'actively penalising' schools that are more inclusive of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
Analysis Reveals Disparities in Grading
Analysis by the NAHT of recent Ofsted inspections found that one in five (20%) schools with above-average numbers of Send pupils were judged 'needs attention' — the second-lowest grade — for attendance and behaviour. This compares with just one in ten (9%) of schools with fewer Send pupils receiving the same assessment.
These findings come after the government announced sweeping reforms to the Send system, aiming for greater inclusivity in mainstream schools.
Union Leader Sounds Alarm
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said the findings should 'ring serious alarm bells' for the Government's ambitions. 'For a long time there have been well-founded concerns that successive Ofsted frameworks have penalised schools serving communities with higher levels of deprivation. Rather than fix that issue, the new framework appears to have compounded it,' he stated.
The union's analysis of 662 Ofsted reports also revealed that a third of schools with above-average numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals received a 'needs attention' grade for achievement, compared with less than one in five (18%) of schools with below-average eligibility. Nearly one in four (23%) schools with above-average free school meal eligibility got a 'needs attention' grade for attendance and behaviour, versus one in ten (10%) of schools with below-average eligibility.
Concerns Over Inclusivity and Deprivation
Mr Whiteman emphasised that schools serving the most deprived communities face an 'uphill battle'. He said: 'Recognising the challenges and barriers to pupils’ progress is to engage with their lived reality. It does not signal any kind of bigotry of low expectations, as Ofsted’s HM Chief Inspector has claimed.'
He added: 'Under Ofsted’s system, schools may do an incredible job in helping pupils who face all manner of challenges to progress from a poor starting point but still be marked down if overall test scores are below national averages. It’s hard to imagine anything more demoralising for leaders and teachers.'
Impact on Send Inclusivity
The NAHT warns that the system risks discouraging leaders and teachers from working in schools that need them most, and undermines the government's White Paper ambition for more Send pupils to be educated in mainstream schools.
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, chairwoman of the Local Government Association’s children, young people and families committee, stressed that Ofsted’s inspection framework should place greater focus on inclusive practice and whether a school meets the needs of its community.
Background on New Report Cards
The new Ofsted report cards have been in place since November 2025, replacing the former single-word judgments after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Schools now receive one of five grades across several areas, without an overall grade. Unions have warned the system could harm staff mental health, and the NAHT previously attempted a legal challenge that was dismissed at the High Court.
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver has said Ofsted will recognise where a school is doing well despite contextual challenges, but will not downplay 'disappointing outcomes'.
Upcoming Debates and Data Release
NAHT members will debate motions at their annual conference in Belfast, calling for a review of performance measures to support Send inclusion and for exploring legal, industrial and campaigning strategies against the new system.
The Press Association understands Ofsted will publish its own data on the first set of inspections under the new framework next month. Ofsted was approached for comment.
