PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Date: 9 September 2025
Contact: Wirral NEU | Email: michael.farrelly@neu.org.uk
The Wirral District of the National Education Union (NEU) has issued a strong statement today condemning Ofsted’s newly implemented inspection framework, calling it a “superficial rebrand” that fails to address the real challenges faced by educators and schools.
Michael Farrelly, Wirral District Secretary, stated:
“The new Ofsted framework is a masterclass in superficial reform—repackaging old pressures under new terminology while failing to address the root causes of stress and inconsistency in school inspections. It’s not transformation; it’s bureaucratic theatre.”
The NEU argues that despite promises of a more supportive and developmental approach, the framework continues to place undue pressure on staff, undermining morale and contributing to a culture of fear rather than improvement.
Farrelly added, “We need a system that builds trust, supports professional growth, and genuinely reflects the complexities of modern education—not one that relies on vague metrics and punitive oversight.”
The Wirral NEU calls on policymakers to engage meaningfully with educators and develop an inspection model that prioritises wellbeing, equity, and real educational outcomes.
Commenting on the publication of Ofsted’s new inspection framework, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Sir Martyn Oliver has failed. He was asked to bring in a system that reduced pressure.
“Removing the single word judgement was meant to be a powerful revolution, but this makes things much worse. More of the same. More pressure. More ranking and competition. More labels.
“We completely reject that a Nando’s style 1-5 grading scale is good for children or parents. Report cards won’t help keep children safe, boost good teaching or motivate learning. Ofsted try to paint the opposition to report cards as a ‘vocal, small minority’ whereas in reality, concern is widespread across the profession.
“Ofsted is leaning so heavily on a poll of parents but we know parents want stable staffing, time for relationships with their child and personalised learning – exactly what Ofsted undermines. Treating professionals like this is insulting.
“Minor improvements, such as the reduction in graded evaluation areas, do not go far enough to address questions of reliability and consistency.
“The punitive and high stakes consequences remain. This is not the positive change we needed. This will be bad for our schools, bad for the workforce but also bad for parents and students.”