Headteacher’s death was ‘directly linked’ to Ofsted inspection after school was downgraded
A HEAD teacher’s death was directly related to an Ofsted inspection, an inquest heard yesterday.
Ruth Perry’s family say she took her own life after her school was downgraded over safeguarding concerns.
The acting co-heads at Caversham Primary in Reading were asked if there was a “direct link”.
Clare Jones-King and Joanne Grover both answered: “Yes.”
Ms Jones-King said they were “very concerned” about Ms Perry during Ofsted’s visit.
And Ms Grover claimed there was a “power imbalance” during inspections.
Ofsted’s Alan Derry previously suggested the audits can be paused.
But Ms Jones-King told the Reading hearing: “It wasn’t something I was aware of.”
She also said a meeting with Mr Derry had been “unpleasant”.
The inquest continues.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
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If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123