A school leaders’ union is considering joining forces with other legal actions against Ofsted and believes “a single collaborative approach is likely to be more effective”, headteachers have been told.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, told members that the union is “actively exploring” how it can work in conjunction with other groups that have also signalled their intent to pursue legal action against the inspectorate.
He also told heads that it remained the view of the union that Ofsted “is not showing sufficient urgency in order to alleviate our many concerns”.
At the end of March the NAHT said it had taken the first step in judicial review proceedings against Ofsted.
The inspectorate has come under increased scrutiny following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Ms Perry’s family said she had taken her own life after an Ofsted inspection, and in the weeks after the family spoke out, school teacher and leader unions called on the body to pause inspections so a review could be carried out.
Ofsted faces legal challenges
Mr Whiteman said today that because of Ofsted’s lack of urgency, ”we are continuing to explore legal action against the inspectorate”.
In an update to members, Mr Whiteman said: “We are actively exploring how we can work in conjunction with other groups that have also signalled their intent to pursue legal action.
“It is our view that, if possible, a single collaborative approach is likely to be more effective than a series of separate legal actions by different parties.”
Last week Tes reported how the NAHT had been in discussion with the Fair Judgement campaign, which is seeking a judicial review to challenge Ofsted judgements.
This campaign announced it had crowdfunded more than £45,000 and engaged Catherine Callaghan KC, a leading barrister who specialises in employment and regulatory law, civil liberties and human rights, to prepare its challenge of Ofsted’s inspection system.
There is also a separate campaign seeking to raise £120,000 for legal fees to allow a judicial review challenge of an Ofsted inspection “inadequate” rating of the Queen Emma Primary School in Cambridge.
Ofsted has been approached for comment.
