- Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT headteachers’ union, will criticise Ofsted at their annual conference, stating that inspections should not "pressurise dedicated professionals to the point of destruction".
- Whiteman argues that Ofsted does not raise standards and puts lives at "unnecessary risk", referencing the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023, which an inquest found was contributed to by an Ofsted inspection.
- Despite Ofsted agreeing to monitor the new inspection system's impact on headteachers' mental health, Whiteman expresses anger that lives remain at risk, holding Ofsted, the Government, and the judiciary responsible for potential future harm.
- The NAHT previously attempted a legal challenge against the new inspection report cards, which replaced single-word judgments, but it was dismissed by the High Court.
- Whiteman will also commend some government education policies, such as the expansion of free school meals and SEND reforms, but will raise concerns about the funding for the latter.
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