Ruth Perry: School run by instructor who took personal life after Ofsted inspection upgraded to ‘good’
A college run by a headteacher who took her personal life after it was downgraded by Ofsted has now been rated nearly as good.
Ruth Perry died in January after Caversham Primary School in Berkshire went from excellent – the best score – to insufficient attributable to safeguarding considerations.
Her household believes stress associated with the inspection was a major factor in her death.
The tragedy prompted many teachers to call for changes to the inspection system and the top of the one-word grading system.
The faculty was reinspected on 21 and 22 June and assessed nearly as good in all classes, the second-best score.
A replica of the report says work “to address previous weaknesses has been swift, thorough and effective”.
“Straight after the last inspection, useful advice was sought from beyond the school,” it provides.
“In particular, this helped leaders to understand fully the extent of the weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements and prioritise what needed to be done.
“Ongoing and decided work has ensured that the enhancements made have gone past the important modifications that have been wanted.”
Caversham Primary School has made swift enhancements, says Ofsted
The report mentions Ms Perry – and her sister stated it reveals how Ruth and college workers had rapidly turned issues round for the reason that November inspection.
Professor Julia Waters added faculties “should be given the opportunity to correct any technical weaknesses before the final report is published”.
“An inspection should be about helping schools with independent scrutiny, not catching them out and publicly shaming them,” stated Ms Perry’s sister.
“Ofsted’s use of safeguarding as a ‘limiting judgement’, overriding all other strengths and complexities of a school, puts headteachers in that position of constant jeopardy.”
Ofsted boss Amanda Spielman has stated the present one-word system ought to keep, however MPs will look into it as a part of an upcoming inquiry into the inspections system.
Ms Spielman additionally stated workers who produced the preliminary Caversham report have been “professional and humane” of their work.
However, it has introduced modifications – resembling giving faculties extra info on when inspections will occur and a session on reforms to the complaints system.
Schools the place safeguarding considerations immediate an total ‘insufficient’ score, however the place different measures are rated good or higher, can even now be revisited inside three months.
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