Children’s safety is being put at risk by recent changes to Ofsted inspections that prioritise teacher wellbeing, according to a whistleblower at the education watchdog.
A senior Ofsted employee claims the organisation is “bending over backwards” to ensure school inspections are not too stressful for teachers, resulting in pupils being forgotten in the process.
Multiple inspectors have raised concerns with both their line managers and union about the recent shift in policies, The Telegraph understands.
The warnings come after Ofsted implemented new measures at the start of this year aimed at protecting school staff’s mental health.
Children’s safety is being put at risk by recent changes to Ofsted inspections that prioritise teacher wellbeing
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The changes came following an inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, 53, which found the inspection process had directly contributed to her taking her own life.
Perry’s school had been rated inadequate after an inspection in November 2022, putting her job at risk and potentially forcing the school to join an academy chain.
The coroner determined the “rude and intimidating inspection” likely affected Ruth’s ability to cope with the process.
However, some Ofsted inspectors now believe the pendulum has swung too far towards protecting staff wellbeing.
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A senior Ofsted employee claims the organisation is “bending over backwards” to ensure school inspections are not too stressful for teachers, resulting in pupils being forgotten in the process
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A whistleblower warned that safeguarding standards have been dramatically lowered.
“There are things going on in schools that are not being called out, and that parents don’t know about,” the whistleblower said.
“I wouldn’t want children to go to a school where leaders are being enabled to act in a way that doesn’t keep children safe.”
Sir Martyn Oliver, the chief inspector, has noted that some multi-academy trust leaders are making the process more adversarial.
The FDA union, which represents civil servants, has raised concerns about inspectors facing undue pressure from head teachers during inspections.
Ruth Perry took her own life in January 2023 after inspectors downgraded Caversham Primary School’s ratingPADave Penman, FDA general secretary, said: “The voice of inspectors is simply not being heard enough as part of this important debate.”
He questioned how new inspection approaches could maintain parents’ confidence without proper inspector involvement.
An Ofsted spokesman defended their position, stating: “Ofsted’s purpose is to raise standards and improve lives.”
The spokesman emphasised they would “never shy away from doing what is right for children” while maintaining professional and empathetic inspections.
Ofsted confirmed they will carefully consider views from parents, professionals and inspectors when consulting on their new inspection framework, due in January.