Ofsted is facing an “existential crisis” and “piecemeal change” is not enough, former senior inspectors have said.
The new education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and the chief inspector of schools, must take “urgent principled action” to reform the current inspection regime, according to a report.
Ofsted has come under scrutiny after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, “outstanding”, to its lowest rating, “inadequate”, over safeguarding concerns.
In March, Sir Martyn Oliver, chief inspector of Ofsted, launched the watchdog’s Big Listen public consultation to seek views on the future of inspection.
Two former senior inspectors, Frank Norris and Colin Richards, set up “The Alternative Big Listen” (ABL) in May to ask questions which Ofsted did not cover in its formal consultation.
The former inspectors said Ofsted’s consultation did not ask whether the watchdog should still use single-phrase judgments to rate schools.
More than 1,300 people took part in a self-selecting poll on the ABL website.
More than nine in ten respondents said they did not support using single-phrase judgments to characterise the overall effectiveness of schools, and they believed Ofsted was not fit for purpose.
The report, from Mr Norris and Mr Richards, concluded: “It is clear that Ofsted is facing an existential crisis – whether to engage in piecemeal change, to be fundamentally reformed or to be replaced altogether. Our findings imply that the first of these is no longer a viable option.
“Bridget Phillipson, the new Secretary of State for Education, and Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector, need to take note of our findings and to take urgent principled action to reform the current school inspection regime.”
Labour has previously pledged to replace single headline Ofsted grades with a report card system “telling parents clearly how schools are performing”.
The outcome of Ofsted’s Big Listen consultation has not yet been published.
Mr Richards said: “The findings from the ABL reveal Ofsted has lost very significant levels of trust and confidence from the schools’ sector and suggest that fundamental, not piecemeal, change, is required to craft an inspection system fit for purpose in the second quarter of the twenty-first century.
“This is urgent given the parlous state of relations, indicated by the ABL survey, between Ofsted and schools.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “The death of Ruth Perry was a tragedy, and this government will do everything in its power to prevent anything like that happening ever again.
“Schools are under enormous pressure, and while accountability is crucial, the wellbeing of our teachers and school staff has been for too long an afterthought. Change is needed – and it’s coming.
“We will reform Ofsted, replacing single headline grades with a new report card system.
“Over the coming weeks and months we will work with Ofsted as it responds to its Big Listen consultation, to make sure school leaders and staff have the support they need to drive high and rising standards, and so every child has the opportunity to achieve and thrive.”
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