Ofsted inspection row deepens in wake of headteacher’s death

A Berkshire headteacher who issued a plea on social media for support in her plan to prevent Ofsted inspectors visiting her school has withdrawn the request, asking people not to come, in the interests of children and staff.

Flora Cooper, the executive headteacher of the John Rankin federation of nursery, infant and junior schools in Newbury, wrote on Twitter yesterday that Ofsted inspectors were due to visit this morning.

She said she would not allow them to enter after the death of Ruth Perry, who took her own life after a negative inspection, according to her family, and called for others to show up at the school and offer their support.

The death of Perry, 53, the headteacher of Caversham primary in nearby Reading, triggered a storm of protest on social media among teachers, many of whom would like to see Ofsted reformed. Labour has pledged to replace the current ratings system with a report card.

Cooper wrote on Twitter: “I’ve just had the call. I’ve refused entry. Doing this for everyone for our school staff everywhere!” She called for outside support: “Can I please get everyone here tomorrow? Would you show up? Please! We have to do this! I’m taking the stand!”

Later in the day, Cooper sought to defuse the situation and tweeted: “Please can people not come to school now. I have to protect our children, our staff and our community.”

In an email to parents and carers last night, Cooper announced that the school would be closed until at least 10am today to “ensure the school site is safe for the whole community”.

Perry’s family said she killed herself in January while waiting for an Ofsted report that downgraded her school from outstanding to the lowest rating. The report found the school to be good in every category apart from leadership and management, where it was judged inadequate.

Perry’s sister, Julia Waters, issued a statement saying her family were in no doubt that her death was a direct result of the inspection. She called the report’s conclusions “sensationalist”, adding: “The system must urgently be reviewed and changed, to place the welfare of teaching staff, as well as of children, at its heart.”

A petition calling for an inquiry into the Caversham inspection has collected about 50,000 signatures.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National Education Union yesterday called for a pause to all Ofsted inspections. Its general secretary, Paul Whiteman, said: “Ruth Perry’s death is an unspeakable tragedy and school leaders across the nation have been deeply affected by the news.

“It is clear they are placed under intolerable pressure by the current approach. It cannot be right that we treat dedicated professionals in this way. Something has to change.”

Katie Kearney and Chris Adams, co-chairs of John Rankin’s governing board, said: “We want to reassure the whole John Rankin community that we will act in the best interests of children and the schools.”

An Ofsted spokesperson 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.”

A Department for Education spokesperson offered condolences, but said inspections were a legal requirement. “They are hugely important as they hold schools to account for their educational standards and parents rely on the ratings.”