An independent inquiry into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry has called for an end to England's 'macho culture' of inspections and school accountability. Perry took her own life after an Ofsted inspection downgraded her school from outstanding to inadequate.
The review, commissioned by Reading Borough Council, said the tragedy should highlight the folly of high-stakes accountability. It criticised the 'public excoriation of individuals' and urged that such practices must stop.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government would do everything in its power to prevent a similar tragedy, pledging to reform Ofsted by replacing single-headline grades with a new report card system.
Julia Waters, Perry's sister, said the review provided alarming evidence of a system 'so contorted by educational underfunding and perverse incentives that state schools can no longer keep staff safe'.
Ofsted said it accepted the coroner's findings and is carrying out a public consultation, with findings expected in the autumn. The review also highlighted that 'overstretched and underfunded' local authorities were left with ill-defined responsibilities for schools.
