Ruth Perry's sister demands Ofsted chief 'quit now' after headteacher's suicide

11 December 2023 , 08:00

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Headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life in January of this year (Image: PA)

Ruth Perry's sister has demanded the chief of Ofsted "quit now" due to what she branded the department's "shocking" response to the headteacher's suicide.

A recent inquest concluded that an Ofsted inspection "likely contributed" to the death of headteacher Mrs Perry, a coroner concluded. The 53-year-old was found dead in January of this year after being told her school, Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire was being downgraded.

Her family said her school being dropped from "outstanding" to "inadequate" led to her taking her own life. Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, previously said Mrs 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. 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?".

The headteacher was 'tearful' during the Ofsted inspection that took place last November (PA)

Ruth Perry (right) and her sister Julia Waters in the early 1990s (PA)

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.

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However the Guardian revealed that, in light of the tragedy, lead inspectors will spent just 120 minutes on a briefing to address concerns raised by Mrs Perry's suicide. This, Ms Walters said, was "shocking" and showed that Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman had "lost the plot". She's now calling for the chief inspector to resign.

It is understood that Ofsted have already started developing training for all of their inspectors on recognising and responding to signs of anxiety during an inspection. This is a part of a wider programme being implemented, and todays meeting is thought to be to bring through some rapid changes.

Ms Spielman delayed this week’s inspections after the verdict to implement training on spotting signs of anxiety during the visit. But according to an internal memo, the "national briefing" held today will be just a 90 minute online talk and Q&A, followed by a 30 minute follow up regional session.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted chief inspector (PA)

Ms Walters said: "I would say it is shocking, if we didn’t know what we know now about Ofsted. Ofsted is a total shambles, and its leaders are out of touch with reality. The Ofsted system has failed to support teachers and headteachers for years.

"A 90-minute webinar is better than nothing, or a single bullet point, but it is not enough to undo years of systemic and cultural problems. If this was Amanda Spielman trying to show she is taking action in response to a damning coroner’s conclusion, then she has clearly lost the plot as well as running out of ideas. She may only have a few weeks to go before she is due to hand over to her successor, but the need for reform is urgent. She should quit now and let someone else get on with it."

In light of the coroner’s ruling, Ms Spielman issued a statement, she said: "Ruth Perry’s death was a tragedy that deeply affected many people. My thoughts remain with her family, the wider Caversham school community, and everyone else who knew and loved her. On behalf of Ofsted, I would like to say sorry to them for the distress that Mrs Perry undoubtedly experienced as a result of our inspection.

Julia Waters, sister of Ruth Perry, speaking to members of the media in Reading Town Hall at the end of the inquest into her sister's death (PA)

"After Mrs Perry’s death we made changes to the way we work, to help reduce the pressure felt by school leaders. We will do more. The Coroner highlighted a number of areas of concern. We will work hard to address each of these as soon as we can, and we are starting that work straight away.

"We have started to develop training for all inspectors on recognising and responding to visible signs of anxiety. As a first step, we will delay our inspections next week by a day so we can bring all our lead school inspectors together ahead of further school inspections. As well as addressing the issue of anxiety, we will be clear with inspectors what to do if a pause is needed."

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Kieren Williams