CREC Director contributes to research which is damning of the new Ofsted inspection framework

A report published today (22 June), co-written by CREC Director Prof Chris Pascal, suggests the new Ofsted inspection framework is causing significant damage to the mental health and wellbeing of school leaders despite that issue being a significant driver in its design. The data is from an independent survey of 100 schools to experience the new regime,

Two former senior HMIs, together with three eminent academics, asked Headteachers whose schools had recently been inspected to share their experiences, and the results are clearly at odds with Ofsted’s claim that the new framework is performing well, is helping to reduce pressure and stress on school leaders and is a major improvement on the previous one.

Of those responding to the questionnaire, almost 70% express negative views on Ofsted’s impact on headteacher’s well-being including eight who stated that they had decided to retire before another Ofsted inspection.

Other findings included:

- Two thirds (64%) did not see the new framework as an improvement on the previous one.

- Only half (53%) thought that “The ratings given in the report were fair”.

- Only two out of five (39%) found the advice they received valuable.

- Just 42% agreed that the inspection process was supportive.

- 82% disagreed that “I spent just a little time preparing for the inspection”

- Only 30% agreed that the inspection had positively impacted their institution.

- Just a quarter thought that their career had been positively impacted.

Two of the authors. Frank Coffield, Emeritus Professor UCL and Emeritus Professor Peter Tymms of Durham University argue that “This report presents detailed evidence of the urgent need for change to the present inspection system in England. For one Head to say they will retire before they face another inspection would have been one too many, but eight is deeply disturbing.

Frank Norris, MBE, a former senior HMI and Professor Christine Pascal, two of the other authors, stress that

“The main reason for the changes to the process was to improve the wellbeing of school staff being inspected, following the tragic death of Ruth Perry but our research worryingly reveals that those being inspected still feel vulnerable and unsupported.

Another author, Professor Colin Richards, said

“ Dame Christine Gilbert (following the tragic death of Ruth Perry) strongly recommended the administration of post-inspection school surveys should be commissioned from, and published by, a third-party independent organisation. However, Ofsted has not taken up that recommendation, so we have.

“Because our research is fully independent, the respondents are likely to be more genuine and forthright than any responses made in response to Ofsted’s own post-inspection research.”

The report is also full of first hand reflections from school leaders who have recently been inspected, many of which highlight the significant toll on them and their colleagues:

“The inspection caused both mental and physical distress to the entire senior team. People were very ill during the Christmas break, a month after the inspection.” reported one, while another shared that “Ofsted remains a massive source of stress to Heads. A poor Ofsted inspection, or the anticipation of one, still ends careers. Plus ça change…”

Chris Pascal, in turn, has summarised her view that:

It has been deeply disturbing to read the traumatic and emotional evidence we have received about the incredibly negative impact of OfSTED inspections on the professional and personal lives of too many dedicated Head teachers and their staff. Whilst this research did not include the early years sector I have serious concerns that the results there would tell a similar story. The distress and damage to the profession as a result of this new framework surely means the whole approach needs urgent recalibration. Until this happens, we will continue to gather independent insight – including, hopefully, from the early years sector - to hold the system to account.

The research and report was produced by: Frank Coffield Emeritus Professor, UCL, Institute of Education, London University; Frank Norris MBE FCCT former Senior HMI; Chris Pascal Professor OBE Centre for Research in Early Childhood; Colin Richards Former Senior HMI and Emeritus Professor University of Cumbria and Peter Tymms, Emeritus Professor, Durham University.