Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the NAHT, used his opening speech at the union's annual conference in Belfast to deliver a sharp criticism of Ofsted's inspection system, noting it was the first conference since the new framework was introduced in November. Following the recent High Court defeat, he announced the union would launch a consultative ballot on potential strike action, signalling deep discontent among school leaders.
The High Court dismissed the NAHT's legal challenge earlier this month, clearing the way for the new inspection framework to come into effect in England on 10 November, Ofsted confirmed. The union had argued that the regulator failed to adequately consult on its report card system, which moves away from headline single-word judgements and introduces a more detailed assessment model. The judge ruled that the consultation had been lawfully conducted, rejecting claims that the process was too rushed and lacked genuine engagement.
Inspection should not be about pressurising dedicated professionals to the point of destruction. I am angry – yes, mad as hell – that Ofsted, the government and the judiciary see fit to allow lives to be left at unnecessary risk right now.
The case was overshadowed by the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who killed herself in 2023 after Ofsted inspectors planned to downgrade her school from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate'. An inquest found the inspection was a contributing factor, and a campaign by her family prompted Ofsted to end single-word inspection judgements earlier this year.
Often called the 'scorecard' system, the new framework judges schools across six separate areas with a five-point grading scale, from 'urgent improvement' to 'exceptional', using a traffic light colour system where green indicates strength and red indicates serious weakness. Its launch was delayed to accommodate a consultation that, according to Ofsted, received 6,500 responses. NAHT has noted that a number of teaching unions opposed the changes, favouring a more holistic approach.
I say the education establishment is on notice. On notice that these risks are entirely foreseeable and avoidable. The responsibility for further harm or, God forbid, tragedy, is yours and yours alone.
In the High Court ruling, the judge stated that Ofsted is best-placed to decide how to conduct inspections, and that a balance could be struck between a graded assessment and the wellbeing of staff. The barrister representing Ofsted told the court that wellbeing issues were 'absolutely in Ofsted's eyeline' during the development of the new framework, pushing back against the union's concerns.
The NAHT, however, maintains that wellbeing was not adequately taken into account, citing an independent learning review led by Dame Christine Gilbert. That review, published in the wake of the Perry tragedy, raised serious concerns about the mental health impact of inspections on headteachers and staff, contradicting Ofsted's assurances. The union had relied on this review in its legal arguments, saying Ofsted ignored its key recommendations.
the reductive nature of a two-day snapshot of your school
NAHT had previously considered industrial action but stepped back after negotiations with Ofsted and the Department for Education. According to the union, those talks resulted in the establishment of an independent advisory group tasked with monitoring the impact of inspection changes on headteachers' mental health and wellbeing, though its effectiveness remains uncertain as the new framework is now being implemented.
NAHT analysis of 662 Ofsted reports revealed significant disparities. It found that 20% of schools with above-average proportions of SEND pupils were judged 'needs attention' for attendance and behaviour, compared to 9% with below-average SEND. Similarly, 33% of schools with above-average free school meal eligibility received 'needs attention' for achievement, versus 18% with lower eligibility. Paul Whiteman said these figures show how the inspection system disproportionately penalises schools in deprived areas, reinforcing long-standing inequalities.
proper funding
Paul Whiteman argued that successive Ofsted frameworks have penalised schools in deprived communities, and the new framework appears to have compounded the problem. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted's chief inspector, has countered that the changes will be better for parents and fair to schools, particularly those in challenging circumstances, by giving a more granular picture.
According to an NAHT survey, more than half of UK headteachers report that significant parts of their schools are unusable due to problems like mould, asbestos, leaks, and other structural issues, with 96% saying they do not receive enough capital funding to address these issues.
the politics of hate and division at work across the world
Among those reporting unsafe buildings, the survey found that 65% highlighted toilet blocks as unsuitable, and 8% had closed facilities. For SEND provision, 41% said their spaces were unfit, and 7% reported that whole school blocks or mobile classrooms were closed, underscoring the scale of the infrastructure crisis.
The NAHT conference will debate a motion later this week to lobby for full capital funding for state schools in England, a direct response to the crumbling fabric highlighted in the survey.
Successive Ofsted frameworks have penalised schools in our most deprived communities and areas... the new framework appears to have compounded this.
In a lighter portion of his address, Whiteman commended the government for recent children's welfare policies, including the expansion of free school meals, removal of the two-child benefit cap, and the rollout of Best Start family hubs, while emphasizing that more must be done.
The government has pledged £4bn to overhaul SEND provision to foster a more inclusive system. A white paper on the reforms is under consultation, and the Department for Education has indicated that a bill could be brought forward in the king's speech during the next state opening of parliament.
In too many of our schools, roofs are leaking, heating systems are failing, and classroom temperatures swing between freezing and unbearable.
Ofsted's own 'Big Listen' consultation, launched in response to widespread criticism, received over 15,000 responses, including more than 4,000 from teachers and leaders, nearly 3,000 from parents, and over 3,000 from children. The regulator has yet to announce whether the feedback will lead to further adjustments to its inspection approach, leaving unions hopeful for more changes.
The NAHT continues to push for a narrative-only inspection model, similar to the Estyn system in Wales, which produces detailed written reports without summary grades. The union argues that the current two-day snapshot approach is inherently reductive and fails to capture the true quality of a school's work and wellbeing.
The stories our members have shared beggar belief. This is the state of school infrastructure in 2025, and it is nothing short of a national scandal.
I am confident that these changes will be better for parents and fair to schools, particularly those in the most challenging circumstances.
The HM Chief Inspector accuses those who seek a change in the inspection approach of the 'bigotry of low expectations' — I reject that characterisation entirely.