Overview
- Mr Justice Saini dismissed the NAHT and Barbara Middleton’s claim, finding no arguable error in Ofsted’s consultation and approach to wellbeing, with written reasons to follow.
- The court ordered the claimants to pay £40,000 towards Ofsted’s legal costs after refusing permission for a judicial review.
- Ofsted’s new framework will grade schools on a five-point scale across six areas with a pass-or-fail for safeguarding, following a pause in inspections since September 1.
- NAHT called the decision disappointing, said it will consult members on potential industrial action, and is considering an appeal.
- Ofsted welcomed the outcome, maintained the grading-plus-narrative model improves transparency and wellbeing, and noted mixed stakeholder responses including union concerns and polling showing broad parental support.