OFSTED Chaos & Headteacher Suspended

[SouthWestisBest]

Hi all

I am an Assistant Headteacher of a secondary school. We had OFSTED complete an inspection this week that was well overdue - we were last inspected in 2018 when the previous headteacher had been in place. I have only been at the school since September 2025. It has been dreadful to the point - I’m questioning if I still want to work here.

Anyway, myself and my fellow AHTs and the DHT were summoned into a meeting yesterday evening confirming that the Headteacher had been suspended following a number of allegations that were proven to be somewhat true.

Does anyone know what will happen next?

We have been told that another Headteacher from within the trust will support whilst the HT is suspended.

The inspection didn’t go great at all. Morale is at an all time low now - and given that we are about to surpass the resignation deadline, I am here till December at least!!!!

Deputy head will have to step up as head of school and a head teacher from another school will be the executive headteacher. The exec head will be part time at each school.

Surely your post is very outing!

Investigations will now commence with regards to the allegations. Their conduct will be investigated and it is very likely that key staff will be interviewed / asked to provide statements. This will obviously be a thorough process and will take some time.

With regard to school operations, the Headteacher who is supporting will also have their own school to oversee too - it looks like an Executive Headteacher set up. It is likely that the Deputy and the AHTs will take on increased responsibilities in the interim. That said though - depending on the outcome of the OFSTED inspection - the CoG/ CEO of the trust could move a full time Headteacher into the school to implement the improvements.

It is also going to be a challenge improving morale within the school - there will no doubt be many staff planning their exits. This could be an extremely challenging period in the autumn term for recruitment.

With regard to yourself - you have just got to do what is best for you. You’ve been at the school for less than a year so I would personally stick it out for at least another year - this is a perfect opportunity to influence and drive change alongside the interim HT and Deputy.

I worked in a school where the head was suspended (police involvement) and the SIP came in as acting head for a bit but agree with the others it sounds like the person from within the trust will be exec head.

I've also worked in schools where a poor Ofsted has actually been a catalyst for positive change so although it will be very unsettling in the medium term with either of those events, never mind both, and your staff turnover could be the next major issue, it sounds like something major needed to change and so you may find things actually get better as a result of all the turmoil! Just to try to add a positive slant...

Any update to this OP?