HEADTEACHERS union NAHT urged ministers to halt graded Ofsted inspections today, saying they are “even more stressful” than the ones that contributed to headteacher Ruth Perry’s suicide in 2023.

A union survey found that nearly three in four school leaders feel the inspections have worsened in the year since the watchdog replaced its single-word judgements with report cards with different grades for various areas.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “The clear theme emerging across all the feedback we have received is that this Ofsted framework is even more stressful than the one that preceded it.

“It poses a real and present danger to the wellbeing and mental health of school leaders and teachers, possibly even a risk to life.”

Examples of NAHT members’ “damaging experiences” in relation to inspections have now been sent to Education Secretary Lucy Powell.

She was urged to swap the “high-stakes, low-trust” Ofsted grades for a short narrative report on schools’ strengths and areas for development.

Mr Whiteman said: “A system which leaves leaders and their teams feeling so anxious, overwhelmed and demoralised both before and after inspections isn’t just bad for their health — it cannot be conducive to ensuring children receive the first-rate education they deserve.

“Really fundamental changes to inspection are needed, and we stand ready to work with the new government to achieve that.”

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “Over the last three years, we have worked closely with teaching unions to deliver significant reforms to how Ofsted inspections work, to reduce unnecessary pressure on teachers.”

The High Court dismissed NAHT’s bid to bring a legal challenge against Ofsted’s plans to grade schools through report cards in November.