Ofsted accused over deputy heads' inspection fears

Nearly two out of every three deputy headteachers have avoided applying for the top job because they fear Ofsted inspections, according to research published today.

A survey of deputies revealed that 63 per cent were having second thoughts about going for headteaching posts because of the way the education standards watchdog carries out inspections and the possible career-ending prospects of a poor report.

One deputy told researchers: "I don't think I will apply for headship because that will mean I have to go through 10 Ofsteds [before retirement] and I'm not prepared to do that."

The research warns of the "variation in quality" of school inspection teams leading to the prospect of them reaching the wrong decision about a school's fate. Almost 70 per cent felt their last inspection had had an adverse effect on school morale.

Delegates at the annual conference of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in Liverpool will demand an end to the new system of "no-notice" inspections.

Ofsted said it introduced the new system after complaints from headteachers that the old system of giving a term's warning had created too much stress in the preceding weeks. The NAHT survey argues that, instead of seeking to find fault, inspectors should be looking to build on schools' successes and promoting good practice.

Deputies' reluctance will add to a recruitment crisis. The NAHT warned that more than 1,000 headteachers are quitting their jobs early because they cannot stand the pressures.