An Ofsted inspection “likely contributed” to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, a senior coroner has told an inquest in Reading.
Ms Perry’s family say she took her own life in January after her school in Berkshire went from outstanding – the highest rating – to inadequate due to safeguarding concerns.
Staff at the school said the headteacher was left tearful and incoherent after the inspection on 15 and 16 November last year.
Her sister, Julia Waters, previously said Ms Perry had experienced the “worst day of her life” after inspectors reviewed the school on November 15 and 16 last year.
In the aftermath of her death, there were calls from headteachers across the country for a review of the way Ofsted operated.
An inquest, which has explored the impact of the inspection on Mrs Perry, finished today, with senior coroner Heidi Connor delivering her findings at Berkshire Coroner’s Office.
“The evidence is clear in this respect, and I find that Ruth’s mental health deterioration and death was likely contributed to by the Ofsted inspection.”
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Jonathan Perry, Ms Perry’s husband, told the inquest his wife felt the Ofsted inspector was a “bully” with an “agenda”.
He said that she was concerned that failing on child safeguarding would be the end of her career.
Ms Perry’s GP, Dr Tom Back, said the Ofsted inspection of her school contributed to her death.
An inspection report, published on Ofsted’s website in March, found Ms Perry’s school to be “good” in every category apart from leadership and management, where it was judged to be “inadequate”.
Inspectors said school leaders did not have the “required knowledge to keep pupils safe from harm”, did not take “prompt and proper actions” and had not ensured safeguarding was “effective”.
Her family believes stress associated with the inspection was a major factor in her death.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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