School leaders are under such inspection pressure that lives are being put at "unnecessary risk", a union boss will warn.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the headteachers’ union NAHT, is set to criticise schools watchdog Ofsted at their annual conference in Belfast.

His remarks follow Ofsted's rollout of new inspection report cards in November 2025.

Mr Whiteman will tell NAHT members: “Ofsted does not raise standards, nor does it serve children. You do.

“We are told that anyone who wants a different approach to inspection wants to lower the bar.

“Poppycock! We simply disagree.…