Claypool headteacher says Ofsted inspection harmed her health

The experience of Amanda Hulme, headteacher at Claypool Primary School in Bolton, has been highlighted by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) as part of a campaign calling for graded Ofsted inspections to be halted.

The union has raised concerns that the watchdog’s new report card system, introduced after single-word judgements were scrapped, has failed to reduce pressure on school leaders and staff.

In a statement shared by the union, Ms Hulme described the experience as “damaging” and “distressing”.

She said: “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.”

“Inspectors were required to work through a set of pre-determined bullet points, and much of what we do as a school simply did not ‘count’ within the framework, regardless of its impact or quality.”

Ms Hulme said the impact extended beyond her own wellbeing and had affected staff across the school.

She added: “The effect on my team has also been significant, with some colleagues no longer wanting to pursue headship, and another teacher considering leaving the profession entirely.”

“I might have to seriously consider retiring early, before our next inspection is due — I’m just not sure I could face going through that again.”

The comments come as the NAHT published findings from a survey of more than 5,000 school leaders with the union saying almost three quarters of respondents felt the direction of travel on inspections had worsened over the past year.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said feedback from members suggested the current framework was creating even greater stress than the one it replaced.

He 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 well-being and mental health of school leaders and teachers, possibly even a risk to life.”

The union has written to Education Secretary Lucy Powell, urging the government to pause graded inspections and review the system.

However, Ofsted defended its approach.

A 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.”

“Ofsted exists to raise standards for children and to provide clear reporting to parents.”

The spokesperson added that the watchdog would continue to engage with unions but would continue grading schools.

For Ms Hulme, the debate is not just about accountability, but the personal cost inspections can have on those leading schools.

Her account has now become one of several cited by the union as it presses for further changes to the inspection system.