Teacher workload is too high in some schools because heads take a “belt and braces” approach to inspections, the head of Ofsted has said.

Amanda Spielman was asked why Ofsted’s attempts to dispel “myths” about what its inspectors want to see have failed to reduce workload in many schools.

She told Tes: “A lot of heads, perhaps, don’t have the confidence to say, ‘We can let go, we can take it forward in a way that minimises workload, that we really make sure that all teacher time is going on things that have the most value for children.’”

The chief inspector also defended her controversial comments about young girls wearing the hijab, which were branded ”Islamophobic” at the annual conference of the NUT section of the NEU teaching union.

No-notice Ofsted inspections

Ms Spielman added that the inspectorate is interested in introducing no-notice inspections of schools, and reflected on how Ofsted under her reign differs to the organisation under her predecessor, Sir Michael Wilshaw.

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