Ofsted inspectors ought to ‘hand in badges’ to assist Ruth Perry, sister says
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chool leaders who work as Ofsted inspectors ought to hand of their badges and refuse to be complicit within the watchdog’s “reign of terror”, the sister of a headteacher who took her personal life has stated.
Ruth Perry, headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, died whereas ready for an Ofsted report which downgraded her college from the very best score to the bottom attainable.
Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, referred to as on Ofsted and the Government to “show some humanity and sensitivity ” and take “urgent meaningful actions” to reform the inspection system.
In a speech to the National Association of Head Teachers’ (NAHT) annual convention, Prof Waters referred to as for an pressing impartial assessment into Ofsted.
We all know dad and mom deserve higher than deceptive, harmful single-word judgments. So cease selling them
She stated: “We had to speak out because we want no other family to experience the pain that we have felt.
“We had to speak out because a terrible injustice has been done to my sister.
“Ruth was not an inadequate headteacher.”
Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman has stated beforehand she has no “reason to doubt” the inspection earlier than the loss of life of Ms Perry.
An inspection report, printed on Ofsted’s web site in March, discovered Ms Perry’s college to be “good” in each class other than management and administration, the place it was judged to be “inadequate”.
Addressing tons of of faculty leaders in Telford on Saturday, Prof Waters stated: “Take down your banners and write to parents to tell them that you’re doing this and why you’re doing it.
“We all know parents deserve better than misleading, dangerous single-word judgments.
“So stop promoting them.”
She added: “How many of you in this room serve as Ofsted inspectors as well as being headteachers?
“No doubt you’re doing your best, but you’re working within a flawed, inhumane system.
“So follow the examples of Martin Hanbury, Andrew Morrish, and others.
“Hand in your badges. Refuse to be complicit in Ofsted’s reign of terror.”
Ms Spielman has stated Ofsted’s one-word assessments, which have been criticised for being too simplistic, are simpler for fogeys to know.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has stated she absolutely helps the method of offering a transparent one-word score to assist inform dad and mom’ selections.
In her speech on Saturday, Prof Waters stated: “Publicly my family has been offered condolences from the very same people who continue to defend the indefensible system that destroyed Ruth.
“We don’t want warm words, thoughts and sympathies.
“My family wants and deserves sincere answers to our legitimate questions and concerns.
“My family wants and deserves urgent meaningful actions.
“We’re not placated with the few tweaks around the edges that have been offered so far.”
She added: “I call again on Ofsted and the Government to show some humanity and sensitivity, to recognise the urgency and the severity of our concerns.
“If Ofsted and the Government continue to refuse to pause inspections, and certainly the optimal moment for doing that has passed, then I call on them to commission an urgent independent review of Ofsted’s framework, systems and culture.”
Delegates on the NAHT’s convention noticed a one-minute silence in reminiscence of Ms Perry forward of her sister’s speech.