The NEU teaching union has advised its members not to work as additional Ofsted inspectors because of the impact that the inspectorate has on the teaching profession.

The country’s biggest teaching union said that it is supporting a campaign to “pause Ofsted” because the inspectorate is driving out teachers and leaders and is in need of radical reform.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “As the union with the second-largest leadership membership, the NEU supports ethical leadership. We call upon our members who are additional inspectors to stop working for Ofsted.

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“It is time to take back our pride and professionalism. It is time for an independent inspectorate which is trustworthy and trusted by teachers and leaders. It is time to radically reform Ofsted.”

‘Quiet revolution’ against Ofsted

In a statement today, the NEU said that Ofsted drives good teachers and school leaders unfairly from the profession and “destroys” the reputation of schools in deprived areas, which are “doing the best work in the most difficult circumstances”.

The NEU was responding to a call made by the core group of the Headteachers’ Roundtable today.

The group have requested that all school-based employees resign as Ofsted additional inspectors and have called on unions and other professional associations to recommend this “quiet revolution” to their members to help to secure major reform of Ofsted.

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “Our independent inspections of schools are trusted and valued by parents.

“Most teachers and heads find the inspection process positive and use it to improve their school. Ideological opposition to school inspection doesn’t serve parents, pupils or teachers well.”