The new Ofsted framework could lead to an “army of expensive consultants” and “how-to guides” as schools try to adapt to the new expectations, headteachers have warned the inspectorate.
The Headteachers’ Roundtable group has also raised concern that Ofsted increasing the number of areas in which it will make judgements about schools will lead to more inconsistency and drive leaders out of the profession.
Ofsted launched its consultation on the new school report cards earlier this month, proposing to inspect schools on up to 11 different areas with a five-point grading scale from “causing concern” to “exemplary”.
Heads raise concerns over Ofsted proposals
The Headteachers’ Roundtable raised several concerns in a statement issued today.
The group said: “We have a 35-page draft framework with not enough people to deliver it; we know that this will lead to an army of expensive consultants and ‘how-to’ guides as schools try to adapt. The phrasing is clumsy and rather basic; we do not have a sophisticated or nuanced document.”
It comes after the leader of the new Ofsted Academy expressed concerns about some heads falling “prey” to education consultants offering to help schools prepare for inspections.
Matthew Purves told Tes last year that he wanted to crack down on the “big industry” in “pirated” Ofsted materials.
Ofsted ‘has not listened’, heads warn
While the Headteachers’ Roundtable said that there had been a “growing sense of optimism” about the inspection system, it is now concerned that Ofsted has not listened to the sector’s concerns.
“Clearly, it has not listened to the Gilbert Review, the coroner’s report following Ruth Perry’s death, the Association of School and College Leaders’ Beyond Ofsted recommendations, Headrest’s annual reports or the hundreds of school leaders who have left the profession early,” the group said.
Headrest, a headteacher support service, warned in its 2024 annual report that it is still receiving “traumatic” calls from school leaders about Ofsted inspections that raise concerns further tragedies could occur.
The Headteachers’ Roundtable added that the Ofsted proposals “do not recognise the turbulence in the profession since 2020” and that there is a need to “fundamentally reform the culture and nature of the inspectorate before we implement procedural change”.
Inclusion and SEND are ‘afterthoughts’
Ofsted is proposing to inspect up to 11 different areas, including “attendance”, “achievement” and “developing teaching”.
But despite the inspectorate including a specific “inclusion” category, the Headteachers’ Roundtable is still worried that inclusion and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) appear to be “afterthoughts” in the proposed inspection system.
“Inclusion and SEND must be core priorities, not afterthoughts. A one-size-fits-all inspection approach dangerously overlooks the specialised expertise required for meaningful SEND provision and risks punishing inclusive schools, whilst incentivising schools who are not.”
Baroness Longfield, chair of the Centre for Young Lives and former children’s commissioner, and Jonny Uttley, CEO of the Education Alliance trust, have jointly warned that Ofsted needs a ”better vision and deeper understanding of inclusion”.
Ofsted plans risk ‘more resignations’
The Headteachers’ Roundtable also raised concerns about the level of “variability” in Ofsted judgements under the proposed framework.
“With even more areas to inspect, the variability increases. This does nothing to allay leaders’ anxiety and fear; lessons have not been learned,” the group warned.
“At a time when we need more leaders in the sector, this will just lead to more and more resignations.”
Polling by the NEU teaching union found that nearly three-quarters of teachers have considered leaving the profession because of the “negative impact” of Ofsted.
An Ofsted spokesperson said: “We want our inspections to raise standards for all children and provide better information for parents. And it’s vital they are also useful and workable for education leaders and inspectors.
“We would encourage everyone to look at our detailed proposals and respond to the consultation.”
The inspectorate is also introducing a set of toolkits setting out what inspectors will look at when deciding which grade to give schools.
Heads welcome RISE teams
The Headteachers’ Roundtable was more positive about the government’s plans for its Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams, adding that “support for schools and leaders is always welcomed”.
The group added: “The impact will depend on the quality, authenticity and capacity of these teams.
“We would hope that recruitment for these roles is diverse and sensible: there are many professionals in each region, both in trusts and local authorities, who have a plethora of local contextual knowledge and skills and may not have contributed this way before.”
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