Unions write joint letter to Education Secretary calling for delay to introduction of revised inspection arrangements

In a letter to Bridget Phillipson sent yesterday (23 June), the General Secretaries of NEU, NASUWT, ASCL and NAHT wrote: “We write to express our profound concern about the implications of revised arrangements for inspection reform addressed in your letter to the Chief Inspector of 11 June.

“As you will be aware, in its consultation document on its proposals for changes to inspection, Ofsted confirmed that there should be a notice period of the equivalent of one term between the publication of its post-consultation response and inspection materials and the start of inspections under the revised regime. Ofsted recognised that such notice was necessary to ensure that ‘providers and inspectors feel well prepared for the new inspections.

“In light of Ofsted’s decision to delay the publication of its consultation response until September, providers and their staff would be faced with a considerably shorter notice period if revised inspection arrangements are implemented in November as set out in your letter.”

The unions claimed the current timescale would create “wholly unacceptable” pressures on schools and their staff, and noted that inspectors would have less time than originally anticipated to “familiarise themselves with reformed inspection arrangements”.

The general secretaries added: “Moreover, we are concerned about the implications of implementation of reformed arrangements in November for the integrity of the consultation exercise.

“You will be aware that in his letter to you of 11 June, the Chief Inspector restated his view that the consultation exercise should be ‘meaningful’ and that its ‘proposals were not set in stone.’ We do not believe that these commitments can be honoured in these circumstances. If the responses to the consultation exercise indicate that significant revisions to Ofsted’s original proposals are required, then it is not clear how they could be made in the very short period of time that would be available.”

The unions therefore called on the Secretary of State to move the date for the introduction of revised inspection arrangements to the beginning of the 2026/27 academic year.

Earlier this month, Ofsted revealed it is to delay the publication of its formal consultation response – which had originally been due this summer – until September.

Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said the watchdog needed “a little more time” to analyse the 6,500 responses it had received, while Phillipson said the delay was “disappointing”.

Commenting on the letter sent to the Secretary of State yesterday, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said: “The current system of school inspection is driving a workload and mental health crisis in schools and badly letting parents and carers down. We call, alongside other unions today, on the Secretary of State for Education to intervene urgently. 

 “Ofsted’s plans to implement the rollout of a new system in November will only succeed in inspiring a sense of panic across schools. The timescale the inspectorate in imposing on schools highlights how out of touch Ofsted remains. The inspectorate continues to demonstrate a disregard for supporting the mental wellbeing of school staff. It is simply not credible that significant, useful and meaningful change can have been made in the time allowed. 

 “The date set for the introduction of the revised inspection arrangements must be delayed to the beginning of the 2026/27 academic year, to ensure the time is taken to get change right.” 

The Department for Education has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson