Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said: “Given recent events and widespread
concerns about leaders’ wellbeing, it’s the height of
insensitivity for Ofsted to be going into schools or colleges
this week.
Ofsted should pause all its inspections and reflect upon the
unmanageable and counter -productive stress they cause for school
leaders, and the impact on leaders. This stress is well-
documented in literature about Ofsted. That they are phoning
leaders this week and initiating inspections speaks to the
arrogance of Ofsted and their absolute lack of empathy. The
claims by Ofsted to make fair or reliable judgements are not
credible and this is part of the immense stress and distress for
leaders.
This is an agency that is completely out of touch, and which is
making claims and judgements which are unreliable. This can’t go
on. Ofsted should be concerned about restoring enhanced
professionalism to school leaders and education staff but they
are not. The NEU believes inspections should be paused.
The Union is campaigning for Ofsted to be replaced. This week a
petition to Replace Ofsted will be delivered to the DFE with over
40,000 signatures from across the profession. It’s time we
urgently prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of the leaders and
staff working so hard with children and young people in their
community. We need a system which is supportive, effective and
fair.’’
ENDS
