Ruth Perry's sister says reforms to inspections do not go far enough

Sister of headteacher Ruth Perry who took her own life after her school was downgraded by Ofsted says planned reforms to school inspections do not go far enough

• Ofsted unveiled a series of changes to pacify the unions and school bosses
• Ms Perry’s sister said changes were ‘start’ but don’t adequately adress problems
• READ ALSO: Every work-related suicide should be investigated, expert demands
• For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org

The sister of a headteacher who killed herself after her school was downgraded by Ofsted said planned reforms to the schools inspection system do not go far enough.

Ofsted has today unveiled a series of changes to pacify unions and school bosses who called for it to be revamped or permanently scrapped.

Ms Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, said the changes were ‘a start’ but do not ‘adequately address the many problems that the system creates’.

Among the changes are a planned reform of the Ofsted complaints procedure and a new way for schools to improve a poor rating more quickly if they are downgraded over safeguarding concerns.

From September, Ofsted reports will also refer to ‘the school’ in inspector’s findings rather than naming individual headteachers or staff.

Headteacher Ruth Perry (pictured) killed herself in January after her school was downgraded by Ofsted

Ms Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, said the changes were ‘a start’ but do not ‘adequately address the many problems that the system creates’

But the changes fall short of those demanded by MPs and campaigners for a removal of the ‘one-word’ grading system which has been criticised for being too simplistic.

Professor Waters said: ‘I am disappointed that no mention is made about removing harmful and misleading single-word judgments.

READ MORE: ‘Ruth killed herself because of this report’: Sister of headteacher who took her own life after hearing management was being ranked ‘inadequate’ campaigns to reform ‘punitive’ Ofsted

‘I can understand the need to provide clarity and simplicity for parents about an inspection, but too much is hidden or lost behind a headline judgement of just one or two words.’

Ms Perry, who was headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, took her own life in January while waiting for an Ofsted report which downgraded her school to ‘inadequate’ – the lowest possible rating.

Her heartbroken sister said the inspection had been the ‘worst day of her life’.

Ms Perry’s death sparked criticism from unions and headteachers over the stress inspections can place on school staff.

Ofsted has also announced today that schools who are found to have ineffective safeguarding but are judged to be good on all other criteria will be reinspected within three months to allow them to quickly make changes to improve an ‘inadequate’ grading.

However, only 12 state schools have fallen into this category in the past 18 months, with just 1.3 per cent of schools currently judged ineffective for safeguarding.

The inadequate grading will still be imposed on a school during the re-inspection period.

Ofsted has also launched a consultation on a reform of its complaints procedure, with schools given until September to respond to the proposals.

Among suggested changes are a removal of the time-consuming stage of an Ofsted complaint where the quango considers how it has handled a grievance internally before a school can take it to the independent adjudicator.

Also due to be added is a new way for headteachers to query ‘some minor points of clarity or factual accuracy’ without raising a formal complaint before an inspection report is published.

The changes fall short of those demanded by MPs and campaigners for a removal of the ‘one-word’ grading system

Paul Whiteman (pictured), NAHT general secretary, said: ‘It has taken far too long for the government and Ofsted to announce this relatively modest set of measures and school leaders remain immensely frustrated at the lack of urgency and ambition being shown’

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman (pictured) said: ‘When we inspect schools our priority must always be children’s education and wellbeing – but at the same time we want to make sure inspection is as positive an experience for school staff as it can be’

This will be considered ‘promptly’ and then the school will ‘not normally have a later opportunity to raise a formal complaint or challenge’. This has already been trialled at some schools.

Ofsted will also give schools greater guidance on roughly when they can expect to receive an inspection, with this likely to be between a term and a years’ notice depending on the last check.

However, the practice of giving one day’s notice of an inspection will remain.

The quango has steadfastly defied calls for an end to the current system of ‘one or two-word’ school ratings such as ‘outstanding’ and ‘inadequate’, as it says this makes it simpler for parents.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: ‘It has taken far too long for the government and Ofsted to announce this relatively modest set of measures and school leaders remain immensely frustrated at the lack of urgency and ambition being shown.’

Education secretary Gillian Keegan (pictured) said: ‘Taken together, today’s announcements are a really important step. I have committed to continuing our work on improving the way we inspect our schools with Ofsted and the family of Ruth Perry following her tragic death’

The union leader argued the one-word judgment system will mean the inspection system will ‘remain fundamentally flawed and put pressure on school leaders’.

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said: ‘When we inspect schools our priority must always be children’s education and wellbeing – but at the same time we want to make sure inspection is as positive an experience for school staff as it can be.

‘Since the sad death of Ruth Perry, there has been considerable debate around Ofsted’s work and I want to reassure people that we are listening to their concerns, and thinking carefully about how we can revise aspects of our work without losing our clear focus on the needs of children and their parents.’

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: ‘Taken together, today’s announcements are a really important step. 

‘I have committed to continuing our work on improving the way we inspect our schools with Ofsted and the family of Ruth Perry following her tragic death.’

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org 

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