Ofsted inspections have been suspended till later this month as plans are put in place for psychological well being coaching following the suicide of a headteacher, the watchdog’s new boss has mentioned.
Sir Martyn Oliver, who took over the position of chief inspector for the training regulator in the beginning of the brand new yr, mentioned solely emergency safeguarding visits would go forward as pupils return to colleges in England this week.
It follows an inquest into the dying of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her personal life in January 2023 after Caversham Primary School in Reading was downgraded from the best score of “outstanding” to the bottom, “inadequate”, over safeguarding considerations.
At the listening to in December, senior coroner Heidi Connor mentioned elements of the inspection “were conducted in a way which lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity” and concluded it “likely contributed” to Ms Perry’s dying.
She issued a prevention of additional deaths discover saying “action should be taken”, main the final secretaries of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) to name for inspections to be paused till modifications had been applied.
As he began his new position, Sir Martyn mentioned Ofsted inspections had “come under great scrutiny” following Ms Perry’s dying and that he’s “determined that we learn from this” and take “tangible” actions.
Next week, inspectors will obtain coaching from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England forward of a rolling programme of additional psychological well being consciousness coaching for all assessors, he mentioned.
“A lot has been done already, but a lot more can be done now – starting with a robust programme of mental health awareness training for all our inspectors,” Sir Martyn mentioned. “That begins next week and will become an integral part of how we train and develop our people.”
‘We perceive the pressures’
Sir Martyn, a former chief govt of a series of academy colleges, added: “Along with immediate training on mental health awareness, one of the first things I want to do is listen – to parents, to professionals in the sectors we work with, and to people with an interest in our work.
“We are right here for kids, their mother and father and carers – and we are going to serve them greatest by working constructively, respectfully and empathetically with the specialists who’re chargeable for their training and care.
“Our people come from these sectors. We understand the pressures they are under – and we will make that clear as we go about our work.”
In separate interviews with The Guardian newspaper and Schools Week, Sir Martyn mentioned there could be an inner inquiry into Ofsted’s actions round Ms Perry’s suicide.
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In the aftermath of Ms Perry’s dying, there have been calls from headteachers throughout the nation for a evaluate of the best way Ofsted operated.
Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, beforehand mentioned Ms Perry had skilled the “worst day of her life” after inspectors reviewed the college.
Following the coroner’s conclusion, Sir Martyn’s predecessor Amanda Spielman apologised and mentioned Ofsted had made modifications to cut back pressures felt by college leaders, and would “do more” to deal with the considerations raised.
Paul Whiteman, common secretary of the NAHT union, mentioned Ofsted had no selection however to “seriously reflect and make changes to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again”.
Ofsted have till 7 February to answer the coroner’s report.
For psychological well being help, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, electronic mail them at [email protected], or go to samaritans.org to search out your nearest department.
Source: information.sky.com”