Amanda Spielman’s nomination for peerage by Conservatives underlines politicisation of role of chief inspector of schools

Backing by Michael Gove and the Spectator also underscores closeness with Conservative ministers, with report last year also criticising limited impact of Ofsted's board.

 

Amanda Spielman was at the centre of controversy again over the weekend. And with good reason, to judge from the content of the story.

The former chief inspector of schools, who drew widespread criticism for her reaction after headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life following an inspection, has been nominated by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to join the House of Lords, it was reported.

The groups Headteachers’ Roundtable and Headrest today published a letter in which they warned that “the awarding of a peerage to Amanda Spielman would be inappropriate and insensitive,” given a recent history of Ofsted having been warned about the pressures generated by inspections and how those concerns “were rebuffed by the inspectorate” under Ms Spielman’s tenure. They were far from alone in that view, with Julia Walters, Ruth Perry’s sister, also criticising the move.

Ms Spielman, who served as HMCI from 2017 until the end of 2023, was, however, reportedly defended by the former Education Secretary, Michael Gove, as well as her prospective elevation being described as “richly deserved” by the magazine Mr Gove now edits, the Spectator.

The Conservatives’ move seems to underscore how political the chief inspector’s position became in recent years – and a related weakness in Ofsted’s governance which its current reform seems not to be addressing.