School inspectors could quit over Ofsted report card plans
Headteacher unions could encourage their members to quit as Ofsted inspectors unless the proposed system is changed.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have threatened to take the 'unprecedented step' in the autumn term if there are no changes to the timescale for inspection reform or to the five-point grading scale.
In a letter to Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, and Sir Martyn Oliver, the chief inspector of Ofsted, the unions said the proposed action 'underlines the strength of feeling' about the reforms.
Ofsted said earlier in June that it would delay setting out its final plan for school inspections in England until September – just weeks before new report cards are due to be rolled out in November.
Under the plans, unveiled in February, schools in England could be graded across eight to 10 areas of provision using a colour-coded five-point scale.
They would receive ratings, from the red 'causing concern' to orange 'attention needed', through the green shades of 'secure', 'strong' and 'exemplary' for each area of practice.
In a letter on Tuesday, the leaders of the ASCL and the NAHT said: 'We are writing to you further to our joint letter with NASUWT and NEU to inform you ASCL council recently determined that unless there are changes to both the timeframe of implementation and to the five-point grading scale, then ASCL will consider encouraging its members to withdraw their service from Ofsted as OIs in the autumn term.
'At its meeting of June 20 the NAHT resolved to do the same.
'This would be an unprecedented step for ASCL and NAHT and underlines the strength of feeling about the proposed reforms.'
Ofsted had planned to publish its formal response to its consultation on proposed inspection reforms in the summer term, ahead of the changes coming into effect.
Wait caused by feedback
But then Sir Martyn said the watchdog planned to wait until September because of the scale of the feedback it had received.
The inspectorate said it wanted more time to analyse responses and carry out further testing of proposals to improve the final approach.
At the time, Ms Phillipson called the delay 'disappointing'.
She added that it was 'important' that Ofsted delivers to the expected timescales to avoid additional challenges for school leaders.
Pepe Di'Iasio, ASCL general secretary, said: 'We have voiced our concerns repeatedly over the past few months in discussions with Ofsted and the DfE [Department for Education], but the timetable for implementation has actually got worse rather than better, and there has been no indication so far of likely movement on the five-point grading scale.
'It feels as though we have exhausted the potential for compromise through discussion, and that we have little option other than to consider this more direct form of action.'
Ofsted grades were scrapped
In 2024, the Government announced that headline Ofsted grades for overall effectiveness for schools in England would be scrapped.
Previously, Ofsted awarded one of four judgments: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.
The move came after the body faced criticism following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Mrs Perry took her own life in January 2023 after Ofsted downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from the highest to the lowest overall effectiveness rating over safeguarding concerns.
An Ofsted spokeswoman said: 'Ofsted exists to keep children safe and raise standards.
'Our inspectors do vital work to improve children's lives, including by identifying schools, nurseries and colleges where standards are not high enough.
'It is disappointing that unions are taking legal action and using disruption tactics to frustrate our vital work.'
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