Ruth Perry was the head at Caversham Primary School in Caversham, Reading
Education unions have called for Ofsted inspections to be paused in the wake of the death of a head teacher.
Ruth Perry, head teacher at 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 and school leaders’ union NAHT have both called for inspections to be temporarily halted.
Ofsted has been asked for a comment.
Ms Perry’s family said the 53-year-old had described the inspection in November as the worst day of her life.
Her sister Julia Waters has called for schools to “boycott Ofsted”.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT said: “It is clear that school leaders up and down the country are placed under intolerable pressure by the current approach.
“It cannot be right that we treat dedicated professions in this way. Something has to change. Whilst it should never take a tragedy like this to prompt action, this has to be a watershed moment.
“The anger and hurt being expressed currently by school staff is palpable. It is essential that all policy makers, including Ofsted, listen and respond.
“Given the strength of feeling and the need for a period of calm reflection, Ofsted should pause inspections this week.”
‘Counterproductive stress’
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Given recent events and widespread concerns about leaders’ wellbeing, it’s the height of insensitivity for Ofsted to be going into schools or colleges this week.
“Ofsted should pause all its inspections and reflect upon the unmanageable and counterproductive stress they cause for school leaders, and the impact on leaders.”
A petition calling for education secretary Gillian Keegan and Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman to review the inspection and to make changes to the inspection system has so far gathered more than 40,000 signatures.
In the report seen by the BBC but yet to be published on the Ofsted website, the watchdog rated the school as “inadequate”, the lowest rating.
Matthew Purves, Ofsted regional director for the south east, said: “We were deeply saddened by Ruth Perry’s tragic death.
“Our thoughts remain with Mrs Perry’s family, friends and everyone in the Caversham Primary School community.”
Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
Related Topics
Related Internet Links
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
