HEAD teachers in Reading may see more support from the council and children’s services following the death of Ruth Perry- but there are concerns that they do not go far enough.
Reading Borough Council and its children’s services provider, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), have laid out a number of ways in which it will give further help to teachers who are unhappy with Ofsted inspections.
The council has announced that it will offer to act on behalf of schools where there was evidence of unfairness or a lack of balance during an Ofsted inspection.
This includes taking on responsibility for raising challenges to future Ofsted inspections by working with heads and Governors to understand their concerns.
Currently schools are only given secondary support when launching a challenge.
It is also set to appoint an independent external review role as part of its commitment to a “learning review,” made during the inquest into the death of Caversham headteacher Ms Perry.
It has further promised more mental health support for heads on top of the current programme, which offers 24/7 support over the phone and regular counselling sessions.
This review is expected to conclude in April 2024, when the outcome will be given to the Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, and Education Committee.
It also seeks to hold an annual welfare survey for heads, through which the council will seek to learn how to continue to improve its support.
School leaders have also been consulted on council proposals for a new Reading Parent Carer and Community Acceptable Behaviour Policy, set for implementation on Monday, February 19.
The council explained that it intends for reviewers to meet with the family of Ruth Perry as part of a continued response to the inquiry.
However Julia Waters, Ms Perry’s sister, said that the family welcomes the announcement, but that the move doesn’t “sufficiently recognise the gravity” of the coroner’s concerns.
“We are genuinely shocked to learn that the Council is only now proposing to bring in many of the policies and actions that most people would expect from a responsible employer.
“It shows that the Council has not been providing the kind of practical or psychological support that headteachers say they need.”
“It is good to know that the Council recognises the importance of building an environment where its headteachers feel supported through Ofsted inspections, as well as in facing the other challenges that come with leading a school.
“As of yet, Reading Borough Council’s response is not much more than a list of good intentions.”
A council spokesperson said: “The Council and Brighter Futures for Children were clear at the Inquest conclusion that they fully acknowledged and accepted the three Regulation 28 recommendations made by the Coroner in her findings.
“A number of actions have subsequently been taken, or are underway, which focus on writing into policy, and embedding local practice and policies; to help better understand and respond to what impacts on headteachers’ wellbeing; to support their wellbeing and to develop Reading’s collective response to future Ofsted inspections.”
They explained: “The Council and BFfC have met with Ruth’s family, where we reiterated our full commitment to deliver these changes.
“The thoughts of everybody at Brighter Futures for Children and Reading Council remain with Ruth’s family, her close friends, and her school colleagues.
They added: “The loss of Ruth must lead to learning and positive changes so that head teachers are valued for the vital work they do.
“Their work must also be supported by an inspection framework which delivers proportionate outcomes for school leaders, the workforce and children, and both the Council and BFfC fully acknowledge the important role we have to play in that process.”
Ms Waters explained that the problem is more far-reaching than just the council in Reading, however: “Reading Borough Council, and all education authorities in England, need to address this imbalance of power and more fairly share responsibility if they want to restore the trust of headteachers and the confidence of parents.”
