James Naish, Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe, has published a detailed report summarising the views of local headteachers on the Department for Education’s proposed reforms to the Ofsted inspection framework, due to take effect in November 2025.
The report – “For Improvement or Judgement?” – follows a roundtable convened by Mr Naish in June 2025 with twelve headteachers from across Rushcliffe. The discussion provided a space for school leaders to share candid reflections on how the current and proposed inspection systems affect their schools, staff, and pupils.
The findings highlight widespread concern that the new framework risks being “incremental rather than transformative”, with several headteachers describing it as a more “mechanical” version of the existing system. Participants also raised questions about the timetable for implementation, inspector training, and the fairness of applying new measures at a time of acute financial and demographic pressure.
Key statistics from the report include:
- Only 27% of headteachers view current Ofsted inspections as collaborative or supportive.
- 55% believe Ofsted contributes to a wider recruitment and retention crisis.
- 55% feel “continually stressed” in the lead-up to inspections.
- The new framework scored just 4/10 for clarity.
Headteachers called for a more developmental approach to inspection, emphasising partnership over punishment and improvement over judgement. Many drew positive comparisons with the SIAMS inspection model and Nottinghamshire County Council’s supportive quality assurance reviews.
The report concludes with five recommendations:
- Provide adequate time and clarity before introducing any new framework.
- Address the mental health impact of inspections on leaders and staff.
- Recognise contextual challenges such as SEND and school funding pressures.
- Move towards more collaborative inspection models.
- Simplify reporting to better reflect school character and achievement.
James Naish MP said:
“Rushcliffe’s headteachers were open, honest, and deeply committed to improving education. Their insights make clear that reform must be about support, not fear. Accountability should strengthen schools, not exhaust them.”
The full report, “For Improvement or Judgement? Headteachers’ Responses to the Proposed Ofsted Framework”, is available to read here:
https://www.jamesnaish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/James-Naish-A4-Ofsted-Report-v2.pdf
