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THE CONCLUSION drawn by the coroner of the inquest into the death of Caversham head teacher Ruth Perry has been released.
The inquest, led by senior coroner Heidi Connor, concluded on Thursday, December 7, following a week of hearings.
The report explores the contributing factors which played a role in Ms Perry’s death, after she took her own life back in January.
It explains that the investigation concludes that Ms Perry did indeed commit suicide, “contributed to by and Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022.”
The report details that it was the first Ofsted inspection Caversham Primary School, of which Ms Perry was head teacher, for 13 years,
Policy which meant that schools rated ‘outstanding’ were not inspected within usual timescales was changed in 2021, triggering the inspection which took place in November 2022.
The report states that the school was informed of an inspection on November 14, 2022, which would take place over the following two days.
Ms Perry’s mental health deteriorated “significantly” during the inspection and after, and she displayed suicidal ideation and planning following.
She had no relevant history of mental health issues.
While she sought support for her mental health, but she felt unable to discuss the likely outcome of the inspection.
It concludes that the evidence “set out very clearly” what caused the deterioration in her mental health.
It also lays out a number of circumstances within Ofsted practises which the coroner feels contributed to the overall culture of inspection.
She pointed out the lack of distinction by Ofsted between a hypothetical school which is failing in all respects and one which is subject to safeguarding concerns.
Under current rules, both would be considered inadequate and face consequences.
It describes that parts of the inspection were conducted in a way which “lacked fairness, respect, and sensitivity,” as laid out in Ofsted’s own code of conduct.
This, it says, “likely had an effect on Ruth’s ability to deal fully with the inspection process,” but also stresses that there should not be a focus on any individual inspector, and rather considers the policies and training of the inspection system.
It concludes that there is “very little training by Ofsted, and no written policy” regarding management of school leader anxiety during inspections and no suggestion that an inspection could be paused on safety or compassionate grounds.
As such, the coroner lays out a number of key concerns, the first of which is the impact on school leader welfare inspections may continue to have in their current state.
Another is the lack of disparity between schools rated ‘inadequate’ yet which may be experiencing very different circumstances.
Another is the “almost complete absence” of training in dealing with signs of distress in school leaders and how to pause or change inspections should leaders become distressed.
There is also an absence of methods to raise concerns with lead inspectors during inspections.
Other issues included the confidentiality requirements following inspections, which means school leaders are hesitant to discuss outcomes.
The report also noted that Reading Borough Council intended to adopt a “much more robust” approach to dealing with Ofsted, particularly surrounding inspections, though this is not written or formal policy.
It noted too that no internal review was taken by Reading Borough Council, and that it was inconclusive whether RBC had any written policy or guidance about the support correspondence which Ruth received from the council.
The report is not punitive in nature, which means it has no civil or criminal impact on those concerned, but is instead a recommendation.
The full report is available to view via: judiciary.uk
