Unions have called on the watchdog to pause all inspections this week in the wake of Ruth Perry’s death (Picture: Brighter Futures for Children/John Rankin School)
A headteacher is planning to refuse Ofsted inspectors entry after a fellow school leader allegedly took her own life while waiting for a report that gave her school the lowest rating.
Ruth Perry, who was head at Caversham Primary School in Reading, killed herself in January after Ofsted found the school to have ‘inadequate’ leadership and management, her family say.
In the wake of the tragedy, unions have called on the watchdog to pause all inspections this week.
Flora Cooper, executive headteacher of the John Rankin Schools in nearby Newbury, Berkshire, announced today that she would not let inspectors inside her school, adding that she is ‘doing this for school staff everywhere’.
She initially called on people to support her at the school on Tuesday morning, when inspectors are due to arrive.
But she has now backtracked on this plea in order to ‘protect children, staff and our community’.
An initial tweet from her read: ‘I’ve just had the call. I’ve refused entry. Doing this for everyone for our school staff everywhere!’
Ruth Perry was a headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading (Picture: Brighter Futures for Children)
Flora Cooper said she is ‘doing this for school staff everywhere’ (Picture: John Rankin Infant School & Nursery)
She also posted: ‘Can I please get everyone here tomorrow? Would you show up? John Rankin School, Newbury. Who would support?’
Hours later, Ms Cooper wrote: ‘Please can people not come to school now in the morning.’
‘I have to protect our children, our staff and our community. Please for the protection of our children and staff’, she added.
It is understood that Ofsted is in contact with the school and is trying to resolve the situation.
A Department for Education spokesperson said insisted it is ‘a legal requirement for schools and nurseries to be inspected by Ofsted and they have a legal duty to carry out those inspections’.
It comes after Julia Waters said her sister, Ms Perry, had experienced the ‘worst day of her life’ when inspectors reviewed the school in November.
She alleged to BBC South that the inspection destroyed 32 years of her vocation and ‘preyed on her mind until she couldn’t take it any more’.
The inspection found the school to be good in every category apart from leadership and management, where it was judged to be inadequate.
The general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT has named Ms Perry’s death ‘an unspeakable tragedy’, saying it is clear that school leaders across the nation have been ‘deeply affected’.
Ofsted is due at John Rankin on Tuesday morning (Picture: Google Streetview)
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: [email protected] between the hours of 9am and midnight.
‘Having spoken with Ruth’s family, we know they are determined that something like this should never happen again. It is important that everyone listens to what they have to say’, Paul Whiteman said.
He added: ‘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.’
Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), has also backed a pause on visits, saying ‘it’s the height of insensitivity for Ofsted to be going into schools or colleges this week’.
She has advised Ofsted to ‘reflect upon the unmanageable and counter-productive stress they cause for school leaders, and the impact on leaders’.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is the third union to warn the organisation that it’s a good idea to stay away this week.
Geoff Barton, general secretary, has called for an immediate review of the impact of inspections on the wellbeing of school and college leaders and staff.
He said: ‘We’ve seen that a headteacher has tweeted their intention to refuse entry to an Ofsted inspection team, and this shows very clearly the strength of feeling following the tragic death of Ms Perry.
‘Many school and college leaders and their staff find inspections and Ofsted judgments very traumatic, and this is often damaging to their wellbeing.
‘This case has brought matters to a head and something has to change. We will be discussing this with Ofsted as a matter of urgency.’
A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘Inspections are hugely important as they hold schools to account for their educational standards and parents greatly rely on the ratings to give them confidence in choosing the right school for their child.
‘We offer our deep condolences to the family and friends of Ruth Perry following her tragic death and are continuing to provide support to Caversham Primary School at this difficult time.’
After Ms Perry’s death, Matthew Purves, Ofsted’s 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.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Unions have called on the watchdog to pause all inspections this week in the wake of the tragedy.
