The sister of a headteacher who took her personal life after a essential Ofsted report has mentioned her demise was the “direct result” of the strain placed on her by the “deeply harmful” inspection.
Ruth Perry, of Caversham Primary School in Reading, killed herself in January whereas ready for the evaluation.
It gave the college the bottom attainable ranking regardless of being good in each class bar management and administration, the place it was judged “inadequate”.
Ms Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, has claimed the findings had been “disproportionate, unfair and, as has tragically been proven, deeply harmful in their (implied) focus on one individual”.
In a press release on behalf of the household, Professor Waters they had been in “no doubt” that Ms Perry’s demise was a “direct result of the pressure put on her by the process and outcome” of the inspection.
“Our only hope is that Ruth’s sudden, appalling death will be the last to occur as a result of the intolerable pressures caused by the Ofsted system,” she added.
Government backs ‘massively necessary’ inspections
Ofsted is a non-ministerial authorities division that inspects faculties and different schooling companies.
The authorities maintains it’s critical in making certain a great and protected customary of studying throughout the nation.
“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,” mentioned a Department for Education spokesperson.
“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 supply our deep condolences to the household and pals of Ruth Perry following her tragic demise and are persevering with to offer help to Caversham Primary School at this troublesome time.”
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Calls for Ofsted to be reformed
Ms Perry’s household mentioned they didn’t blame the inspectors themselves for her demise, however mentioned the inspection course of required “massive reform”.
They mentioned inspections “need to be genuinely supportive […] to safeguard the health and wellbeing of hard-working, talented, altruistic headteachers and staff”.
Ms Berry had been a “highly regarded” headteacher who taught for 32 years, they added.
Mary Bousted, joint basic secretary of the National Education Union, known as for Ofsted inspections to be paused to “reflect upon the unmanageable and counter-productive stress they cause for school leaders”.
Geoff Barton, basic secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, additionally mentioned the method ought to face “immediate review” whereas inspections are placed on maintain.
School leaders’ union NAHT has additionally backed a pause of inspections for at the least the remainder of this week.
Meanwhile, a petition calling for an inquiry into the inspection of Ms Perry’s college has greater than 66,000 signatures.
An inquest into her demise will happen at Berkshire Coroner’s Court later this yr.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can name Samaritans for assistance on 116 123 or e-mail [email protected] within the UK. In the US, name the Samaritans department in your space or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Source: information.sky.com”