THE INQUEST into Ofsted’s role in the death of Caversham headteacher Ruth Perry earlier this year has begun hearing testimony in Reading.
The inquiry is taking place in Reading Town Hall after it was launched in March by MPs concerned about the effect that the education standards organisation, particularly its inspections, had on Ms Perry and its role in her subsequent death.
She had been the head at Caversham Primary School for 13 years before taking her own life back in January, just days before the school was expected to drop from an ‘Outstanding’ rating.
The inquiry began yesterday (Tuesday, November 28,) and will hear from representatives of Ofsted and Reading Borough Council.
While legal aid was denied for Ms Perry’s family, a crowd-funding campaign launched last Saturday successfully raised more than £70,000 in just three days, meaning that they have full legal representation at the inquest.
Coroner Heidi Connor said at the outset that Ruth’s story “lies at the heart” of the inquiry, and that it would seek to find out who Ms Perry was and the circumstances surrounding her death.
The inquiry heard from lead inspector at Ofsted Alan Derry, who explained that during a meeting with Ms Perry, she had said the results of the upcoming inspection last year were “not looking good.”
He said that this became a phrase used often by Ms Perry following the meeting, and that Mr Derry felt she needed some support.
He also explained how, in the final feedback meeting between Caversham Primary School staff and Ofsted, Ms Perry was “upset and very tearful.”
Mr Derry added that the events surrounding the inspection had left him changed, and that it followed that changes to subsequent inspections would also change.
Attendees then heard from Ofsted’s director of education, Chris Russell, who said that the consequences of inadequate judgements by the inspectorate were the concern of the Department for Education.
Despite this, he also explained that judgements made regarding safeguarding in schools were made with careful consideration, though ‘ineffective’ ratings were “very rare.”
He added that the inspectorate did not have written guidance on how the effects of inspection stress were dealt with for teachers, but that there was training in place to minimise the emotional impact on staff.
The inquest continues today, and is tipped to last for three more days following.
The coroner is expected to deliver the conclusions of the inquiry on Thursday, December 7.
