NEU members have made their feelings very clear: Ofsted causes more harm than good and we need urgent and fundamental reform. The profession can be trusted to do their jobs effectively without a punitive, high-stakes system to keep them in line.
“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 call to abolish Ofsted. #LetTeachersTeach
We are urging workplace groups to use our new Ofsted risk assessment form so they can proactively collect and record the evidence of damage and risk caused by Ofsted and its consequences.
This exemplar form shows you how you might use the risk assessment document effectively in your workplace. The health and wellbeing of members must be prioritised and protected – before, during and after an inspection.
Ruth Perry inquest
The NEU has 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.
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.
