07 December 2023 , 11:44
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An Ofsted inspection "likely contributed" to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, a coroner has concluded.
The 53-year-old was found dead in January this year after being told that her school – Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire – was being downgraded from "outstanding" to "inadequate", the lowest possible rating. Her family said she took her own life after a report from the watchdog.
Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, previously said Ms Perry had experienced the "worst day of her life" after inspectors reviewed the school on November 15 and 16 last year. After Mrs Perry's death, there were widespread calls for Ofsted to revamp its school ratings system, with headteachers leading the backlash.
She had been headteacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading (Google)Ofsted inspector Alan Derry, who led the inspection at the school, said Mrs Perry was "tearful" and kept saying "it's not looking good is it?". Jonathan Perry, Mrs Perry's husband, told the inquest his wife felt the Ofsted inspector was a "bully" with an "agenda". He said that she was concerned that failing on child safeguarding would be the end of her career.
Discussing the behaviour of the lead inspector during the review of the school, Senior coroner Heidi Connor said: "I find that parts of the Ofsted inspection were conducted in a manner that lacked manner, respect and sensitivity. It was at times rude and threatening."
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She added 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". Mrs Perry's GP Dr Tom Back also said the Ofsted inspection of her school contributed to her death. 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 safeguarding was "effective". Ms Connor said Mrs Perry was found by police having hanged herself at an address in Reading on January 8 this year.
A statement from one of the officers said police found a diary belonging to Mrs Perry, with entries ranging from November 14, 2022 to January 6. Concluding her inquest in Reading, Ms 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."
Mrs Perry's sister Julia Waters arrives at Berkshire Coroners Court at Reading Town Hall (PA)
Julia pictured with her sister Ruth (BBC South Today)Speaking at Reading Town Hall following the inquest, Ruth Perry's sister said the headteacher was "let down by an Ofsted system that was beset with glaring gaps, inconsistencies, and blind spots". She said: "Ruth was a head teacher, and also a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister and a dear friend to so many people. She died 11 months ago tomorrow. Her death has left an unfillable hole in all our lives.
"Today, the coroner's conclusions validate what our family has known for a long time – that Ruth took her own life as the direct result of the process, outcome and consequences of an Ofsted inspection of the school she led and loved, Caversham Primary School. The inquest into Ruth's death has shown the brutal inhumanity of the system of Ofsted inspections. Ofsted likes to judge people with single-word labels. We could judge the current Ofsted system with our own labels: callous, perverse and inhumane.
"Ruth's death, and this inquest, have laid bare the imbalance of power that exists in our education system. Schools and teachers should be accountable to the families and communities they serve. Ruth of all people understood this. She was let down by an Ofsted system that was beset with glaring gaps, inconsistencies, and blind spots, yet held the power to destroy her career, and put an end to her school as she knew it." Mrs Perry's family said "urgent lessons" must be learned but added they have "no confidence" Ofsted will make the reforms needed.
Last weekend, we reported that a survey by Education Support, a charity that offers teachers therapy, has shown nearly three-quarters of teachers blamed the pressures of an inspection for impacts on their mental health. One told us: "My school was rated inadequate last week – the tone of the inspection was hostile and we were treated appallingly. During the two days it took place staff were sick in toilets, cried and nearly passed out. Ofsted had an agenda and no evidence provided was going to change that."
Another said: "After the inspection of my school, I had a nervous breakdown and had to see a doctor. My teaching wasn't criticised but I took the judgement 'requires improvement' of a school I loved personally. It impacted me so much I went on antidepressants and ended up part time as I knew I couldn’t carry on as I had before."
Sinead Mc Brearty, Chief Executive Officer at Education Support said: "Accountability is important for keeping standards high and children safe – but the present system is neither trusted by staff nor working effectively. Instead of doing what they love – focusing on teaching children and young people – they are dragged into bureaucratic tasks designed to create evidence for inspectors."
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at josamaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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