Headteachers challenge England’s inspection regime

England’s school leaders’ union says the new Ofsted inspection system is placing damaging pressure on headteachers, The Guardian reports. The NAHT has raised concerns with the education secretary.

The article describes the union’s position and members’ experiences. These concerns should be distinguished from an independent evaluation of every school inspection.

Accountability and staff wellbeing

School leaders quoted by the union describe anxiety and strain under the revised inspection arrangements. The argument is about how accountability is carried out, not whether children's education should be assessed. An effective debate needs both the experiences of staff and evidence about whether inspections lead to useful improvement.