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

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Virtual School Inclusion Support OfficerPermanent, Term Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Business Development Officer

Essex County Council
£36341.0000 - £42754.0000 per annum
Senior Business Development Officer - Integrated Passenger Transport UnitFixed Term, Full Time£36,341 to £42,754 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview dates
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner