A coroner’s finding that an Ofsted inspection likely contributed to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry “must be a catalyst for change” to inspection, headteachers’ leaders have said.
Reacting to the inquest findings today, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, said that change was needed to ”ensure a tragedy like this never happens again”.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that Ofsted “must immediately improve its policies and training for inspectors”.
Concluding the inquest into Ms Perry’s death, senior coroner Heidi Connor said today: “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 took her own life after an inspection of her school, which was downgraded from “outstanding” to “inadequate”.
The coroner found that parts of the Ofsted inspection were carried out in a way that lacked “fairness, respect and sensitivity”.
Inquest verdict is ‘damning indictment’ of inspection
Mr Whiteman said: “The verdict is a clear and damning indictment of an approach to inspection that has done massive harm to school professionals.”
He said that Ofsted and the government have “so far refused to take seriously the lessons that need to be learned from this case”, and must now start working with unions to implement the changes “that need to be made”.
Mr Barton said that the verdict must be a “catalyst for change”.
He added: “Ofsted must immediately improve its policies and training for inspectors to ensure that inspections are handled sensitively and compassionately, particularly when a headteacher or other staff are traumatised.”
One-word judgements
Mr Barton also called for the watchdog to reform its inspection system and replace one-word judgements with a “narrative approach”.
“We absolutely recognise and support the need for public accountability. But it does not need to break people in the way the current system does,” he added.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU teaching union, said that school inspection in its current form is “a risk to health and wellbeing” and that the welfare of school leaders needs to be “valued more seriously”.
Those individuals “all over the country who lead our schools take on immense responsibility and workloads…we must listen to leaders when they warn that Ofsted inspections currently feel too pressured and too isolating”, Mr Kebede said.
Governors call for urgent independent review
The National Governance Association has called for an “urgent…comprehensive and immediate independent review of Ofsted practices and inspection as a whole” following the coroner’s verdict, which it said was a “turning point”.
It said the review should focus on placing “wellbeing of staff and leaders on an equal footing with driving improvement in pupil outcomes” by “replacing the current one-word system” with “empathy, sensitivity and a motive of supportive improvement at the heart of the inspection framework”.
An NGA spokesperson said: “The debate is done - we simply can’t allow the education system in this nation to continue to be herded by a culture of pervasive fear and anxiety, which in itself fails to promote positive practices.
“The current judgement system, particularly the application of the term ‘inadequate’, has to be reevaluated,” they added.
Family says urgent lessons must be learned
Speaking after the verdict, the family of Ruth Perry said “urgent lessons” must be learned from the inquest findings, but added that they have “no confidence” the watchdog will make the reforms needed.
Ruth Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, said that the headteacher was “let down by an Ofsted system that was beset with glaring gaps, inconsistencies and blind spots”.
She said: “We have no confidence that Ofsted, under its current leadership and management, is either willing or able to make the widespread, root-and-branch reforms to its system and culture that are so urgently needed.”
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.
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.”
