The NAHT has called for Ofsted's colour‑coded report cards to be scrapped, arguing they increase stress and could "pose a risk to life" for school leaders. The union wants short narrative reports and a pause to graded inspections while the system is reviewed. The call follows the 2022 suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry and further reports of serious health and career impacts. Ofsted says it consulted parents, has reformed inspections and will continue to grade schools.
NAHT Warns Colour‑Coded Ofsted Ratings 'Could Pose Risk To Life' — Calls For Pause And Narrative Reports
Ruth Perry, head at Caversham Primary School in Reading, took her own life while waiting for the publication of a report that downgraded her school from outstanding to inadequate
The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has urged the Government to abandon Ofsted's colour‑coded report cards, arguing the visual grading system increases stress for school leaders and could "pose a risk to life." The union wants the grades replaced by concise narrative reports that emphasise a school's strengths and areas for development, and it is calling for a pause to graded inspections while the framework is reviewed.
Background
The colour‑coded report cards were introduced last year to replace single‑word judgements such as Outstanding or Inadequate, following public concern after the 2022 death of Reading headteacher Ruth Perry. Ms Perry led Caversham Primary School and took her own life after the school was downgraded from the highest to the lowest rating.
Union Concerns
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said feedback from members shows the new Ofsted framework is "even more stressful than the one that preceded it." He warned that the approach poses "a real and present danger to the well‑being and mental health of school leaders and teachers, possibly even a risk to life." The union has urged ministers to replace colour‑coded grades with short, narrative reports and to halt graded inspections until a full review is completed.
Paul Whiteman, the NAHT's general secretary, said the new framework was 'even more stressful' - PA Wire/Jonathan Brady
"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," Whiteman said. "It poses a real and present danger to the well‑being and mental health of school leaders and teachers, possibly even a risk to life."
Firsthand Impacts
NAHT members have reported serious health and career consequences. Amanda Hulme, headteacher at Claypool Primary School in Bolton, described sleeplessness, raised blood pressure and a decision to consider early retirement after an inspection under the new framework. Hulme said inspectors relied on predetermined checklists that failed to recognise much of the school's work, leaving staff demoralised and some colleagues reconsidering headship or leaving the profession.
"It was definitely damaging to my health and really quite distressing. I couldn't sleep and it led to my blood pressure and pulse rate increasing," Hulme said. "Some colleagues no longer want to pursue headship, and another teacher is considering leaving the profession entirely."
Ofsted's Position
An Ofsted spokesman responded that over the last three years the organisation has worked closely with teaching unions to reform inspections and reduce unnecessary pressure on teachers. Ofsted said it consulted parents when designing the new reports and that the colour‑coded presentation helps give clear, accessible information to parents. The body added it will continue to engage with unions but intends to continue grading schools.
Legal Challenge And Next Steps
In November, the High Court dismissed NAHT's legal challenge to Ofsted's use of report cards. The union has since submitted examples of damaging inspection experiences to Education Secretary Lucy Powell and said it stands ready to work with the new government on fundamental changes to the accountability framework. Meanwhile, NAHT continues to press for an immediate pause to graded inspections on safety and wellbeing grounds.
What This Means: The dispute signals continued tension between school leaders and inspectors over how performance is reported and how accountability measures affect the mental health and retention of senior staff. A government review or further legal and policy debate is likely as both sides seek common ground.
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