Abolish Ofsted

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

A circle of stress and fear

Read our report on the impact of Ofsted's new inspection framework, one year on

One year on from Ofsted's reforms, their inspection framework is still harming school staff.

To assess the full impact of Ofsted's new inspection framework, we surveyed 1,970 NEU members on their experience or anticipation of inspection, interviewed headteachers and analysed the grades of published inspection reports under the old and new inspection frameworks.

Our findings expose Ofsted's devastating impact upon workload, wellbeing and teacher retention. It's more of the same: more pressure, more competition, more labels.

As a profession we must demand and secure change.

Read our report

A circle of stress and fear Ofsted survey

Read our report

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 Ofsted ‘reforms’ risk making inspections less reliable and will worsen inspection driven pressures and workloads for school staff.

In the meantime leaders and activists can take action to alleviate the impact.

What can school leaders do?

Remove 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.
Step down from Ofsted roles - We urge you, alongside our sister union the NAHT, to step down from serving as Ofsted inspectors.

What can reps and members do?

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.

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.