Commenting on the decision by the High Court today to deny permission for a judicial review hearing in school leaders’ union NAHT’s legal case against Ofsted over the introduction of their proposed new report cards, NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said:

"It is disappointing that the decision today was made to decline our request for a judicial review, but this case was always being brought forward on a very narrow point of law relating to the validity of Ofsted's consultation process for their new framework.

“The decision today doesn't detract from our valid and reasonable concern about the damage to the mental health and wellbeing of school leaders and staff of the new report cards. This is an acute and basic health and safety issue recognised by an independent report commissioned by Ofsted itself, which has not been dealt with at all. Both Ofsted and the government have failed to address the very real risk posed by the new framework to school leaders.

“It is a fundamental responsibility of a trade union to protect its members. We will now consider an appeal and will be consulting our members on industrial action."