More than half of headteachers consider leaving early after new Ofsted inspections

More than half of headteachers in England who were polled after their schools were inspected under Ofsted's new regime are considering cutting short their careers as a result of the experience.

The survey by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) had 242 responses between June and October 2026. In response to the question asking whether the inspection had affected how long they intended to stay in their role, 52 percent said they were thinking of leaving their job sooner than planned.

Almost two-thirds, 64 percent, said the new inspections were much more intense than under the previous framework, while nearly nine in ten, 86 percent, struggled with their mental health and wellbeing while inspectors were on site.

The findings are a damning indictment of the new regime, which is the result of a radical overhaul after the suicide of primary school headteacher Ruth Perry in January 2023.

The changes, which were introduced a year ago, were intended to reduce the strain and workload caused by the inspection process, but many school leaders say they have made things worse.

One primary headteacher who took part in the survey said they were not sure their physical or mental health could cope with another inspection like this framework. They said they had been a head for 15 years across three schools and had never felt less able to do their job than they did during the inspection.

A deputy head at an all-through school said they previously had aspirations for headship, but will now never go for headship. The stress and anxiety of the inspection has ended that dream, and in their words this is the most challenging Ofsted they have ever completed in a career of over 20 years.

A primary school chief executive said they were very tired of the high stakes, the stress and the worry that comes from the whole process, and that it is on a different level.

A headteacher at a secondary special school said they will not do another inspection as head, and will leave before the next one, because it made too much of an impact on their personal life. They said they did not see their children for months on the run up to going into window.

The general secretary of the NAHT, Paul Whiteman, said the survey findings showed the unmitigated failure of an unaccountable and out of control inspectorate, and said Ofsted's actions were driving experienced leaders from schools.

The education secretary, Lucy Powell, has indicated she is looking at further changes to Ofsted, but Whiteman said another belated rearranging of the deckchairs which sidelines the profession is wholly insufficient.

The survey comes after teaching unions declared no confidence in the schools watchdog and threatened strike ballots unless significant wellbeing issues caused by the new inspection framework were fixed.

An Ofsted spokesperson said many leaders had found inspections helpful and constructive over the last year, but acknowledged that others had highlighted the impact on their workload and wellbeing.

In the spokesperson's words, that is why the inspectorate is working with the secretary of state on ways to reduce the pressure felt by heads and teachers, without losing its shared focus on the best interests of children and their families.

A Department for Education spokesperson said teachers do extraordinary work and inspections should support improvement without adding to pressures already on schools. In their words, that is why the department is working with Ofsted and school leaders to ensure accountability is collaborative, fair, proportionate and focused on helping every child get the education they deserve.