After the recent outpouring of anger over the death of Ruth Perry, a headteacher who described his Ofsted experience as “uncannily similar” speaks out.
Calvin Henry wipes away tears as he recalls the moment he was told his school had been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted last year. “I stared at him [the lead inspector] with absolute disbelief,” says the head of a north London primary.
After the inspector left his office at St Mary’s Church of England Primary in Haringey, he typed his resignation letter, turned off his phone and walked out, missing the final feedback meeting.
“I didn’t want to be seen by anybody. I was distraught, wondering ‘what do I do now?’” says Henry, 54. By the time he arrived home five hours later, his partner had started calling local hospitals.
Seven months after the inspection in March 2022 – in which both leadership and management and behaviour and attitude were given the lowest grade – the school was rated ‘good’ in all areas.
