NEU: Almost all teachers want Ofsted system to change

Teachers overwhelmingly agree that preparing for and undergoing Ofsted inspections have a negative impact on staff mental health and wellbeing, with 98 per cent supporting this statement. 

In response to this survey, one member of school staff commented: “For the last Ofsted inspection I was so anxious I couldn’t go into work, I was having panic attacks, feeling sick, not sleeping – then felt guilt for letting my school and team down.” 

Almost all of teachers hope that Ofsted will be reformed or replaced by the next government, with only one per cent of respondents hoping school inspections will stay as they are. 

Overall, nearly a quarter hope for reform the ways Ofsted holds schools accountable with more than three quarters hoping the next government will abolish Ofsted and replace it with a completely new accountability system. 

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said: “We have seen all too frequently the devastation that Ofsted has wrecked on the lives of school staff, school leaders and also their families. 

"Despite the inspectorate’s assurances that it understands that change is needed, it is clear that the toxic inspection approach sits at the heart of the teacher retention challenge, which undermines the potential and capacity of our school system. 

He also said that Ofsted drives a culture of "unsustainable workload" in schools.

"Ofsted is damaging teacher and school leaders’ mental health, undermining quality learning and jeopardising rates of inclusion of children – the levels of pupil absence and teacher loss show us this and this further poll confirms the link."