Headteachers consider leaving jobs earlier than planned after new Ofsted inspection

Almost two-thirds of school leaders polled say new regime is much more intense than previous framework

More than half of headteachers in England who were polled after their schools were inspected under Ofsted’s new regime are considering cutting short their careers as a result of the experience.

In response to the question “Has the inspection affected how long you intend to stay in your role?”, 52% of those who responded said they were thinking of leaving their job sooner than planned.

Amost two-thirds (64%) said the new inspections were “much more intense” than under the previous framework, while nearly nine in 10 (86%) struggled with their mental health and wellbeing while inspectors were on site.

The findings from the survey by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) are a damning indictment of the new regime that is the result of a radical overhaul after the suicide of the primary school headteacher Ruth Perry in January 2023.

The changes, which were introduced a year ago, were intended to reduce the strain and workload caused by the inspection process, but many school leaders say they have made things worse.

One primary headteacher who took part in the survey said: “Not sure my physical or mental health could cope with another inspection like this framework. Have been a head for 15 years across three schools and have never felt less able to do my job than I did during the inspection.”

A deputy head at an all-through school said: “I previously had aspirations for headship. I will now never go for headship. The stress and anxiety of the inspection has ended that dream … this is the most challenging Ofsted I have ever completed in a career of over 20 years.”

A primary school chief executive said: “I’m very tired of the high stakes, the stress, the worry that comes from the whole process. It’s on a different level.”

A headteacher at a secondary special school said: “I will not do another inspection as head. I will leave before the next one – it made too much of an impact on my personal life – I didn’t see my children for months on the run up to going into window.”

The general secretary of the NAHT, Paul Whiteman, said the survey findings showed “the unmitigated failure of an unaccountable and out of control inspectorate” and said Ofsted’s actions were driving experienced leaders from schools.

The education secretary, Lucy Powell, has indicated she is looking at further changes to Ofsted, but Whiteman said that “another belated rearranging of the deckchairs which sidelines the profession is wholly insufficient”.

The survey, which had 242 responses between June and October, comes after teaching unions declared no confidence in the schools watchdog and threatened strike ballots unless significant wellbeing issues caused by the new inspection framework were fixed.

An Ofsted spokesperson said many leaders had found inspections helpful and constructive over the last year, but acknowledged that others had highlighted the impact on their workload and wellbeing.

“That’s why we’re working with the secretary of state on ways to reduce the pressure felt by heads and teachers, without losing our shared focus on the best interests of children and their families,” the spokesperson said.

A Department for Education spokesperson said teachers do extraordinary work and inspections should support improvement without adding to pressures already on schools.

“That’s why we are working with Ofsted and school leaders to ensure accountability is collaborative, fair, proportionate and focused on helping every school get better, so every child gets the education they deserve.”