Home Menu

Members' home

Our people icon.jpg

The future of school inspection: what school leaders need to know about Ofsted’s plans for reform

Plans to change the way schools in England will be inspected were unveiled by Ofsted earlier this month. These would see schools graded on a five-step scale across a wider range of individual areas – from ‘exemplary’ to ‘causing concern’, with a separate assessment of whether safeguarding standards are met.

Here, NAHT's general secretary Paul Whiteman and assistant general secretary James Bowen address some of the issues the proposals raise – from ‘monitoring’, ‘sub-judgements’ and ‘stuck schools’ to the realities of a traffic-light system and the lack of quantitative questions in Ofsted’s consultation.

NAHT believes the plans would replicate the worst aspects of the current system while doing little to reduce the pressure school leaders are under, and there’s a way to provide clearer information for parents and schools without resorting to grades.

Ofsted’s consultation is open until 28 April 2025. ⁠See NAHT’s guidance for NAHT members on completing Ofsted’s consultation⁠.

Click below to listen, or find the School Leadership Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts – where you can also rate, review and subscribe. 

For more education news and debate, join us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠BlueSky⁠ or ⁠X⁠.

First published 19 February 2025

NAHT Life logo

NAHT life membership gives you the opportunity to continue your membership of the biggest union for school leaders both in post and in retirement.


NAHT life membership focuses on helping retired members receive excellent trade union services and allows you to continue to play an active volunteer role within NAHT regions and branches, if that’s what you choose to do!

Please note to qualify for the benefits of NAHT life membership you must join NAHT life within six months of retiring. 

Please ensure NAHT has your correct post-retirement contact details. NAHT is currently reviewing, renewing and refreshing its services to support NAHT life member.

The life members' sector council (LMSC)

Whether leaving a labour of love or embracing a life of leisure, there can be no doubt that retirement from school leadership marks a huge change in lifestyle. There will be adjustments to make, new challenges to take and a range of new opportunities. At a time like this, it is important that our experienced members do not lose all the support they received in their working life. Our LMSC is here to ensure members are supported in retirement.

This council feeds its extensive wealth of experience and know-how to support the work of NAHT. It also gives our life members the chance to make important contributions to our campaigns for working members. It meets four times a year and is made up of one elected representative from each of our regions, with the addition of one place each for Northern Ireland and Wales. These elected committee members normally serve a three-year term.

Areas of focus for the LMSC include the following: 

  • current legislation issues, eg pension provision
  • action against discrimination, including age discrimination.

LMSC chair

Andy Mellor: andy.mellor@naht.org.uk

LMSC servicing officer

Phil McPherson has the responsibility for working closely with the LMSC as servicing officer. He can be contacted via email at phil.mcpherson@naht.org.uk.

See also