Inquiry Says Ofsted is “Toxic” And Calls For A “Change”

The inquiry called for a “transformational change” to school inspections following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in January.

The Beyond Ofsted inquiry, chaired by former schools minister Lord Jim Knight and sponsored by the National Education Union, was launched in April following calls for the inspectorate to revamp its school rating system, which uses one-word judgments.

Ruth Perry, 53, who worked as a headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her school from outstanding to inadequate over safeguarding concerns.

Perry’s death sparked a discussion about the pressures of school inspections and how Ofsted operates.

According to the inquiry, Ofsted has a negative impact on schools, which some view as “toxic” and needs serious reform.

Lord Knight said, “The evidence is clear. Ofsted has lost the trust of the teaching profession and increasingly of parents.”

The inquiry recommended that schools self-evaluate their progress and work long-term with an external School Improvement Partner.

Lord Knight added, “this would create a governance action plan for the school community” to identify areas of success and improvement.

The self-evaluation would provide “readable and useful information” instead of one-word judgment, which would be provided to parents.

A spokesperson for Ofsted said “nine out of 10” schools say inspections help them improve.

“Our inspectors are all former or current school leaders and understand the nature and pressures of the work. We always want inspections to be a constructive experience for school staff,” they said.

“Ofsted has a crucial role in providing a regular, independent evaluation of every school.” 

We provide “reassurance to parents that pupils are receiving the high-quality education they deserve and are being kept safe,” they added. 

Lord Knight has proposed that Ofsted temporarily suspend routine inspections until the inquiry’s recommendations are implemented.