‘Angry’ union boss says Ofsted inspections are putting lives at ‘unnecessary risk’

School leaders are under such inspection pressure that lives are being put at “unnecessary risk”, a union boss said.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of headteachers’ union NAHT, is set to criticize schools watchdog Ofsted at their annual conference in Belfast.

His remarks come after Ofsted introduced new inspection report cards in November 2025.

Mr Whiteman will tell NAHT members: “Ofsted doesn’t raise standards and doesn’t serve children. That’s what you do.”

“It has been said that anyone who wants a different approach to auditing wants to lower the bar.

“Poppycock! We strongly disagree. Inspection should not mean pressuring dedicated professionals to the point of destruction.”

NAHT attempted to launch a legal challenge against the new system, but this attempt was rejected in the High Court.

Mr Whiteman is expected to say he welcomes Ofsted’s agreement to monitor the impact of the new inspection system on the mental health of headteachers.

But he will add: “I am angry, yes mad as hell, that Ofsted, the Government and the judiciary have now seen fit to allow lives to be put at unnecessary risk.

“I say that the educational institution is on alert. Considering that these risks are completely foreseeable and preventable. Responsibility for further harm or, God forbid, tragedy lies solely with you.”

Headteacher Ruth Perry committed suicide in 2023 after an Ofsted report downgraded her primary school’s rating from the highest to the lowest rating due to safeguarding concerns.

The inquest into the headmaster’s death found that the inspection was a contributing factor.

Ofsted’s one-word judgments were subsequently rescinded and a consultation was launched to develop the new system.

According to the report cards, schools do not receive an overall grade, but one out of five grades in various subjects; The highest possible rating is “exceptional”.

Teachers unions have expressed concern that the new system will continue to put school leaders’ mental health at risk.

Mr Whiteman will on Friday advise leaders not to allow themselves to be defined by the “reductive nature of a two-day snapshot of your school” and warn against the “self-indulgent boasts of those considered exceptional”.

He will also praise some of the Government’s education policies, including the expansion of free school meals, the creation of Best Start family centres, the removal of the two-child allowance limit and its commitment to comprehensive special educational needs and disability (Return) reforms.

But Mr Whiteman will raise concerns about the latter being delivered under current funding.

“With prices rising and the basic costs of running a school skyrocketing, I am not convinced that the worthwhile ambitions of the White Paper will be realistic unless appropriate funding is made available,” he will say.

The government’s reforms to the Send system are supported by £1.6bn to help schools become more inclusive, £200m to train Send teachers and £1.8bn to create a bank of Send experts across the board.

Mr Whiteman will also criticize “the politics of hate and division in the workplace around the world”.

Teachers and school leaders are expected to say they are challenging those who seek to widen social divisions.

“So they try to deny the problems you face every day and don’t acknowledge your success,” Mr. Whiteman will say.

“They will routinely and deliberately seek to erode the respect and trust of parents and communities by portraying you as the enemy through constant rhetoric of inadequacy.”

If you are experiencing distressed emotions or having difficulty coping, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country you can go www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you.