Headteachers threaten strike ballots unless government fixes Ofsted's 'overbearing mess' inspection regime

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

Two of England's major headteachers' unions are threatening strike action over Ofsted's inspection regime after a watchdog survey found 88% of schools said inspections had negatively affected staff wellbeing. The Association of School and College Leaders passed a no-confidence vote in Ofsted's leadership and is demanding a pause to inspections, warning it will hold a strike ballot if the government fails to act. The National Association of Head Teachers is also set to consider industrial action at a leadership meeting next week.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver insisted on Friday the watchdog was 'on the right track', despite the damning wellbeing figures from its own survey.

ASCL general secretary Pepe Di'Iasio said 'negotiation had hit a brick wall' and called Ofsted's current system 'not fit for purpose'.

Education secretary Lucy Powell reportedly wants Ofsted to 'go back to the drawing board' over a framework meant to reduce inspection pressure that heads say has made things worse.