Independent Ofsted wellbeing assessment published

Our CEO, Sinéad Mc Brearty, conducted an independent wellbeing impact of the revised Ofsted framework. This report was commissioned by Ofsted in April 2025 and was published alongside Ofsted’s consultation outcomes on 9th September 2025. This engaged a range of different stakeholders and adopted a mental health impact assessment approach framework.

Education Support has been calling for improvements to the school and college inspection system for all eight years of our Teacher Wellbeing Index and through our response to Ofsted’s Big Listen, so we were keen to take this opportunity to assess the new Ofsted framework, with the wellbeing of staff in mind.

With teacher wellbeing at record lows and inspection pressures cited as a contributing factor, the report offers timely, evidence-based recommendations for change.

Sinéad Mc Brearty emphasised the importance of this work, noting that “we’re pleased to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on how school and college inspections are carried out in England.”

While the assessment is highly technical, its real-world implications are significant. Frazzled, fearful staff cannot provide the best education for children, and leaders cannot lead effectively if fear and compliance dominate decision-making.

The heartbreaking suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry was a guiding “North Star” for the review, underscoring the urgent need to prioritise wellbeing in inspection policy.

Findings

The assessment predicts marginally positive improvement in the long term compared to the current Ofsted approach, but the transition is expected to have a negative impact on leader wellbeing in the short-medium term.

Real work is needed from Ofsted to build trust with the sector and meaningfully address suicide risk.

But the Government needs to acknowledge that only it can move the needle on unmanageable stress by removing the high stakes associated with inspection.

Recommendations

The report sets out five priority recommendations for Ofsted:

• Explore and implement changes to reduce the isolation and individual responsibility felt by headteachers and principals.
• Invest significantly in the wellbeing and professional development of the His Majesty’s Inspectors workforce.
• Introduce an unequivocal mechanism for independence in the complaints process.
• Develop a clear protocol for responding to individuals in acute distress or at risk of suicide.
• Monitor the unintended consequences of the revised framework highlighted in the report.

It also includes recommendations for Government, calling for urgent action:

• The Government must act to resolve the negative wellbeing impacts of high stakes inspection.
• Universal wellbeing interventions for the workforce must be promoted as a key strategy to reduce suicide risk.
• Increase the personal support available for leaders who receive a poor inspection outcome.
• Develop a sustainable, long-term approach to accountability in England.

The report has been welcomed with thoughtful coverage, including in Schools Week and BBC, which highlighted both the recommendations and Ofsted’s initial responses.

Read the assessment including full recommendations here.

Our CEO Sinéad Mc Brearty is available for interview on request. Please contact: Emily.kenneally@edsupport.org.uk