Key facts
- Of the headteachers who responded, 52% said the inspection affected how long they intend to stay in their role.
- 64% of respondents said the new inspections were much more intense than under the previous framework.
- 86% of respondents said they struggled with their mental health and wellbeing while inspectors were on site.
- NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said the survey showed the unmitigated failure of an unaccountable inspectorate.
- An Ofsted spokesperson said many leaders found inspections helpful and constructive over the past year.
- The survey drew 242 responses between June and October, the NAHT said.
More than half of headteachers in England who responded to a National Association of Head Teachers survey said inspections under Ofsted's new framework had made them consider leaving their jobs sooner than planned. The union reported that 52% of respondents said the inspection affected how long they intended to stay in their role.
The survey drew 242 responses between June and October. Of those, 64% said the new inspections were much more intense than under the previous framework, and 86% said they struggled with their mental health and wellbeing while inspectors were on site.
The framework was introduced about a year before the report as part of an overhaul that followed the January 2023 suicide of primary school headteacher Ruth Perry. The changes were intended to reduce the strain and workload of inspections, but many school leaders say they have made things worse.
Respondents described the effect on their careers. One primary headteacher said: "Not sure my physical or mental health could cope with another inspection like this framework." A headteacher at a secondary special school said: "I will not do another inspection as head. I will leave before the next one."
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said the findings showed "the unmitigated failure of an unaccountable and out of control inspectorate" and said Ofsted's actions were driving experienced leaders from schools. He dismissed further changes under consideration by education secretary Lucy Powell as "another belated rearranging of the deckchairs which sidelines the profession is wholly insufficient".
The survey follows teaching unions declaring no confidence in the schools watchdog and threatening strike ballots unless wellbeing issues caused by the new framework were fixed.
An Ofsted spokesperson said many leaders had found inspections helpful and constructive over the past year, but acknowledged that others had highlighted the impact on their workload and wellbeing. The spokesperson said Ofsted was working with the secretary of state on ways to reduce the pressure felt by heads and teachers. A Department for Education spokesperson said inspections should support improvement without adding to pressures on schools, and that the department was working with Ofsted and school leaders on accountability that is collaborative, fair and proportionate.