Support for School Leaders & Education Staff

If you are a headteacher, trust executive, teacher or member of school staff who has experienced or is currently undergoing an inspection, we recognise the immense pressure and acute emotional distress it can cause.

You do not have to carry this burden alone. While the Ofsted Coalition campaigns for fundamental, systemic reform, we are committed to ensuring every educator has immediate, confidential access to compassionate support and expert guidance. Below is a directory of trusted organisations ready to support you right now.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Ofsted Coalition provides advocacy and campaigns for policy reform. We are not a crisis intervention service or legal advisory body. If you are in immediate danger or severe distress, please reach out to the professional services listed below immediately.

1. Immediate & Crisis Mental Health Support

Samaritans
• Phone: 116 123 (Free, available 24/7, 365 days a year)
• Web: samaritans.org
Confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for anyone in crisis, experiencing distress or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Education Support
• Helpline: 08000 562 561 (Free, confidential, 24/7)
• Text Support: Text HELP to 85258
• Web: educationsupport.org.uk
The UK’s only charity dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of education staff. Offers free 24/7 access to qualified counsellors and emergency financial support.

NHS Emergency & Crisis Care
• Call 999 in a life-threatening medical emergency or mental health crisis.
• Call 111 for urgent NHS mental health services and local crisis teams.

2. Peer Support & Coaching for School Leaders

HeadRest
• Phone: 0800 862 0110 (Free 24/7 confidential helpline & callback service)
• Web: headrestuk.co.uk
Free, practical and empathetic wellbeing support provided specifically for headteachers and CEOs by former school leaders who understand the unique pressure of inspection.

HeadsUp4HTs
• Web: headsup4hts.co.uk
A dedicated peer-support network and community for school leaders, offering peer group sessions, crisis executive coaching and executive networks.

3. Professional Associations & Unions

For formal advice regarding inspection complaints, requesting deferrals, legal representation, or employment protection, contact your professional association immediately:

Organisation	Contact Number	Website
NAHT (National Assoc. of Head Teachers)	0300 303 0333	naht.org.uk
ASCL (Assoc. of School & College Leaders)	0116 299 1122	ascl.org.uk
NEU (National Education Union)	0345 811 8111	neu.org.uk
NASUWT (The Teachers’ Union)	0333 014 5555	nasuwt.org.uk

4. Confidential Experience Sharing

If you are safe and feel emotionally ready to share your inspection experience, the Ofsted Coalition gathers anonymised evidence to demonstrate the human and institutional impact of the current accountability regime.

Your testimony helps us build robust evidence for Parliament, policymakers and the public to drive real change. All submissions are strictly anonymised and handled with total confidentiality.
Contact us at: info@ofstedcoalition.co.uk