An Ofsted inspection “likely contributed” to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, a coroner has concluded.
Concluding an inquest in Reading, senior coroner Heidi Connor said: “The evidence is clear in this respect, and I find that Ruth’s mental health deterioration and death was likely contributed to by the Ofsted inspection.”
She said that she now intended to issue a Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths in such circumstances, and that she hoped this would assist the parliamentary inquiry into Ofsted inspections.
Reacting to the outcome, Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman has apologised on behalf of the watchdog to the family and friends of Ms Perry for the distress the inspection caused her.
Headteachers’ leaders have said that today’s verdict must be a “catalyst for change” in the way inspection is carried out.
The coroner said: “I find that parts of the Ofsted inspection were conducted in a way which lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity.
“Parts of this inspection were, in my view, very much done ‘to’ rather than ‘with’ this school.
“I recall asking questions of Ofsted about this. I put it to them that some people instinctively know how to deal with another person who is upset.
“Others may not have this instinct, and some perhaps may themselves be unaware of the impact of their own personal style. I do wonder if that is the case here.”
Ms Connor also said that a claim made by Ofsted during the inquest, that school inspections can be paused if the distress of a headteacher is a concern, was “a mythical creature”.
Inquest ruling on Ruth Perry’s death
Turning to Ms Perry’s family, the coroner said: “The composure and dignity you have displayed throughout is remarkable. She is your Ruth, not our Ruth.”
Ms Perry’s family had said earlier this year that she took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her school, Caversham Primary School in Reading, from the watchdog’s highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.
Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, previously said Ms Perry had the “worst day of her life” after inspectors reviewed the school in November last year.
The inquest, held at Berkshire Coroner’s Office, heard evidence from Ofsted representatives including Christopher Russell, the watchdog’s outgoing national director for education.
An inspection report, published on Ofsted’s website in March, found Ms Perry’s school to be “good” in every category apart from leadership and management, where it was judged to be “inadequate”.
Inspectors said school leaders did not have the “required knowledge to keep pupils safe from harm”, did not take “prompt and proper actions” and had not ensured that safeguarding was “effective”.
Ms Connor made it clear that Ofsted’s rating did not fall “within the scope” of the inquest.
The coroner also said today that Ofsted’s aspiration to “assist” parents with its school inspections and grading system should be “balanced against the safeguarding of the teachers involved in inspections”.
She told the hearing she was “concerned to note the almost complete absence of Ofsted training” in situations where school leaders showed distress during an inspection, and around whether inspections could be paused in such cases.
Giving evidence to the inquest earlier, Mr Russell had agreed that there was no specific written guidance on what an inspector should do if a headteacher becomes distressed.
The inquest heard that there was only one reference about managing stress in the guidance given to Ofsted inspectors before November 2022.
Ofsted guidance said that inspectors must take “all reasonable steps to prevent undue anxiety and manage stress” while conducting inspections.
However, Mr Russell had said: “We do feel that we train inspectors in a way that expects them to inspect in a way that minimises stress and anxiety.”
He added that the watchdog recruited inspectors “who work at a high level in the school system” and who would be experienced with managing stressful situations.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: “My heart goes out to Ruth’s family, friends and the school community. Her death was a tragedy that not only shocked the local community but also the wider sector and beyond.
“It is clear from the coroner’s findings that lessons need to be learned. We have worked closely with Ruth’s family, as well as with Ofsted, to introduce key reforms and further support for our school leaders. I am extremely grateful to Ruth’s sister, Julia, and her friends for working so closely with us to introduce these changes.
“Ofsted is fundamental to making sure children are safe and receive the education they deserve. Together we will look closely at the coroner’s recommendations to consider further changes to make sure we have an inspection system that supports schools and teachers, and, ultimately, secure Ruth’s legacy.”
