As reported by National Education Union, multiple unions are urging the Education Secretary to delay Ofsted reforms amid fears of school “panic”
Four major education unions have jointly called on Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to delay the rollout of revised Ofsted inspection arrangements, warning that the current plans risk causing widespread disruption, anxiety and confusion in schools across England.
In a letter sent today, the general secretaries of the National Education Union (NEU), NASUWT, ASCL, and NAHT urged the government to push back the implementation of the new inspection framework to the 2026/27 academic year. The changes are currently scheduled to be introduced in November 2025.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, described the current inspection system as “driving a workload and mental health crisis in schools” and accused Ofsted of being “out of touch” with the realities faced by staff.
“Ofsted’s plans to implement the rollout of a new system in November will only succeed in inspiring a sense of panic across schools,” Kebede warned. “It is simply not credible that significant, useful and meaningful change can have been made in the time allowed.”
Ofsted announced its intent to overhaul the school inspection process following widespread criticism over the existing system, particularly after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023, which sparked a national conversation about the pressure inspections place on school leaders. The proposed reforms aim to address concerns about fairness, clarity, and the impact of inspections on wellbeing, but many in the sector feel the changes are being rushed.
The unions argue that while reform is essential, the timeline must reflect the need for genuine consultation and thoughtful implementation. The Department for Education has yet to publicly respond to the unions’ joint request.
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