Abolish ofsted campaign graphic

Abolish Ofsted

Ofsted causes more harm than good and we need urgent and fundamental reform.

Why abolish Ofsted?

Whilst the NEU continues to campaign on a national level for a new system that is supportive, effective, and fair, it is vital that our members are protected from Ofsted's harmful impact on the ground. 

NEU members have made their feelings very clear: Ofsted causes more harm than good and we need urgent and fundamental reform. 

An inspection system should not cause teachers and other school staff sleepless nights, anxiety, and an urge to leave the profession. 

Read the press release on the call to abolish Ofsted. 

Listen to our podcast on why Ofsted should be abolished.

 

Ofsted and school inspection changes

Ofsted has announced changes to school inspection in England, alongside wider reforms to how the organisation will operate. The NEU welcomes these changes but continues to advocate for more radical reforms to address the system’s toxicity and regain trust. We have outlined several key changes to Ofsted inspections starting from September 2024.

Ofsted animation video cover

Ofsted risk assessment tool

Whilst our union fights for change on a national level, you can protect yourself and your colleagues from Ofsted's impact by using our Ofsted risk assessment guide to collect and record evidence of damage and risk caused by the inspectorate and its consequences.

Read the risk assessment guide

This example shows how to use the assessment most effectively in your workplace. The health and well-being of members must be prioritised and protected before, during, and after an inspection.

Actions you can take

The Beyond Ofsted Inquiry has called for an immediate pause to all routine Ofsted inspections to allow time to rest and regain the profession's trust. Duty of care must be any inspectorate’s top priority. School leaders can support this by:

  • Removing reference to Ofsted - Remove all references to your school’s Ofsted grading from banners on your school gates and letterheads. Don’t mention it at parents’ evenings/open days.
  • Stepping down from Ofsted roles - We urge you, alongside our sister union the NAHT, to step down from serving as Ofsted inspectors.
  • Use our Ofsted risk assessment materials to collect and record evidence of damage and risk caused by Ofsted and its consequences. Our mental health and wellbeing guidance can also help you and your union group improve your workplace environment and reduce stress and triggers for ill health. 
  • Fight back against unnecessary and excessive workload. Ofsted drives a huge amount of unnecessary workload and is a key factor behind teacher burnout – use our resources to check against accountability drivers of increased unhelpful tasks taking you away from what you’re in school to do – teach! 
  • Stop legitimising Ofsted. Leaders should remove all references to the school’s Ofsted grading from banners on the school gates and letter heads. Do not mention it at parents’ evenings or open days. Ofsted itself has issued instructions that any schools inspected from September 2024 will no longer be allowed to use Ofsted logos on school banners – as the one-word judgement is no longer in use. 
  • Respond to the upcoming consultation on changes to Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework and Report Cards - likely to be early 2025, so watch this space! 

Ruth Perry inquest

The NEU called for an immediate pause in Ofsted inspections in response to the coroner’s verdict and conclusions in the Ruth Perry inquest.

For more than 30 years, Ofsted’s toxic regime has been driving school leaders and teachers out of the profession and fuelling a mental health crisis among school staff.  Read our statement on Ofsted.

Beyond Ofsted

The National Education Union is proud to have been part of the Beyond Ofsted Inquiry – an independent inquiry made up of members of the NEU, industry experts, parents and academics and chaired by former schools minister Lord Jim Knight. It sought to establish an alternative to Ofsted that is supportive, effective and fair.

The Beyond Ofsted Inquiry’s final report was published in November 2023 and calls for radical and transformational change to the inspectorate. Read the inquiry's recommendation. 

Blogs on what people think about Ofsted

Is Ofsted ‘independent’?

Education journalist Warwick Mansell questions Ofsted's claim of impartiality regarding recruitment to its controversial "curriculum unit"

Hungry for change

Students Hamza Shahbaz and Gabriel Perez detail their experiences of campaigning for much needed change in the education system, specifically around the outdated Ofsted inspectorate.

Ofsted is more stick than carrot

Jane Perryman, Professor of Sociology of Education at UCL, explains why only an alternative system to Ofsted can provide the support schools deserve.

Ofsted news

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