Today (Friday 31st March), school leaders’ union NAHT has written
to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector to demand a suspension of Ofsted
inspections while steps are taken to address the risk to the
mental health of school staff and enable suicide risk prevention
to be put in place.
The letter is the first step in judicial review proceedings
and cites Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights,
which imposes obligations on public authorities to take
reasonable steps where there is a real and immediate risk of a
loss of life.
NAHT argues that the recent death of Ruth Perry, and the citing
of Ofsted inspections as a factor in the deaths of 10 teachers*,
indicates the human rights of school staff are not being
protected by the current Ofsted regime and that immediate action
is needed to minimise harm and protect lives.
NAHT has called on Ofsted to pause inspections whilst a review is
carried out to identify and put in place immediate measures to
minimise the risk of harm to school staff.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT,
said: “The tragic death of Ruth Perry has shone a light on the
intolerable pressure placed on school leaders and their staff
during Ofsted inspections. It shouldn’t take a tragedy to force
change, but Ofsted has shown no inclination to change on its own.
“We have requested that Ofsted works with NAHT, as recognised
representatives of school leaders, to identify and agree
immediate actions that can be taken. It is essential that these
actions are discussed and agreed with NAHT if it is to make any
meaningful difference. It needs to be done with us, not to us. Up
until now those requests have been ignored. As such, we have no
alternative but to go down this route.
“Whilst Ofsted have issued warm words, that is simply not good
enough and it has shown nothing like the understanding or urgency
that this situation requires.
“School leaders are determined that this should be a watershed
moment and that such a tragedy can never be allowed to happen
again.”
NAHT have demanded a reply from Ofsted by Thursday 6 April.
* As revealed in a recent Observer article. The
underlying academic report cited by The
Observer can be found here.
