A school leaders’ union has indicated it may take legal action against Ofsted following its failure to pause inspections in the aftermath of headteacher Ruth Perry’s death.
Ms Perry, who was headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, killed herself in January while waiting for an Ofsted report which downgraded her school to the lowest possible rating, her family said.
Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman has acknowledged the debate about reforming inspections to remove grades “is a legitimate one” but insisted school checks aim to raise standards and should continue.
Union NAHT said it has written to Ms Spielman to demand a suspension of Ofsted inspections while steps are taken to address the risk to the mental health of school staff and enable suicide risk prevention to be put in place.
The union said the letter points out the obligations on public authorities to take reasonable steps where there is a real and immediate risk of a loss of life.
