Mark Whitehead 21 March 2023

Head teacher’s death prompts call for Ofsted inspection pause

Head teacher’s death prompts call for Ofsted inspection pause   image
Image: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com.

Education unions have called for Ofsted inspections to be paused following the death of a head teacher who was waiting for a report on her school.

Ruth Perry, who was head of Caversham Primary School in Reading, took her own life while waiting for the publication of a report that downgraded her school from outstanding to inadequate.

The National Education Union, school leaders' union NAHT and the Association of School and College Leaders have called for inspections to be halted.

Ms Perry's family said the 53-year-old had described the inspection in November as the worst day of her life and her sister called on schools to boycott the inspectorate.

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: ‘Ofsted should pause all its inspections and reflect upon the unmanageable and counterproductive stress they cause for school leaders, and the impact on leaders.’

Ms Perry's sister Julia Waters said in a Facebook post: ‘In Ruth's memory and to protect others, I call on headteachers (with the support of teaching unions) to boycott Ofsted until a thorough, independent review has been conducted and changes implemented, refuse Ofsted inspectors entry to their school (or, at least, refuse to comply with inspectors' requests).’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Biodiversity and Climate Resilience

Cherwell District Council
£68,930 - £73,320.50
This is a high-impact leadership role focused on delivering Cherwell's Climate Action Plan Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Cherwell District Council

Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services

Cherwell District Council
£113,435.50 - £125,379 / Grade
This is more than a leadership role - it's an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Cherwell District Council

Head of Chief Executive's Office

Cherwell District Council
£68,930 - £73,320.50 / Grade M
This is a pivotal leadership position at the heart of the Council Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Cherwell District Council

Short Breaks Community Officer

North East Lincolnshire Council
£28,142 FTE
This is a varied role where no two days will be the same. North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Casual Cleaning Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £24,796 Pro rata to hours worked £12.85 per hour
Are you looking for work that fits around your schedule and lifestyle? Casual Cleaning Assistants required post based at the Empire Theatre, Consett. Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner