New data released today by the school leaders’ union NAHT reveals that more than nine in 10 (93%) school leaders do not have confidence in Ofsted to design an effective new inspection framework.  

More than three quarters (76%) of school leaders surveyed by NAHT believe a completely new framework and inspection methodology is needed, rejecting Ofsted’s plans to simply ‘evolve’ the current inspection system.  

There is support for the interim measures taken by the government to improve school inspection so far – with around two thirds (65%) of respondents saying the removal of headline grades will help to reduce the stress of inspection. 

However, reports that the inspectorate might retain graded ‘key sub-judgements’ meet strong opposition, with three quarters (75%) of school leaders believing this is the wrong course of action.

NAHT says this demonstrates that leaders’ expectations of deep and lasting system reform mirror the approach taken by other inspectorates which have scrapped numeric grading systems in favour of clearer narrative judgements.  

NAHT general secretary, Paul Whiteman said:  “While some of the interim measures taken last year to make inspection more humane have been a step in the right direction, they clearly do not go anywhere near far enough. Many of the fundamental problems with inspection remain.

“Our big fear is that the inspectorate has still not properly understood the scale of the reform required.  

“Reports of a plan for a ‘five-point scale’ to replace the existing four point one has landed extremely badly with the profession and suggest a paucity of thinking when it comes to the design of a new system.  

“The current system is clearly broken. Now is the moment for a genuinely new approach that gives parents the detailed information they need and addresses the hugely harmful impact inspection currently has on school staff. What we cannot accept is a revised version of the existing system.  

“The upcoming consultation on the future of inspection will be absolutely crucial.  

“Parents and professionals need to be given a clear opportunity to express a view on the sort of system they wish to see. Too often in the past, they have been presented with close to a fait accompli – that must not happen again this time.

"We remain deeply concerned about the current timescales being proposed and Ofsted’s ability and willingness to make meaningful changes based on consultation responses. 

"The consultation must be a genuine opportunity to influence the future of inspection and Ofsted must be willing to go back to the drawing board if necessary.” 

Notes to editor 

Interviews are available on request, including with school leaders.

NAHT surveyed 1,517 school leaders.