Ofsted Suspends Inspections Following Headteacher's Suicide

New Chief Inspector Announces Mental Health Training for Assessors Amid Calls for Reform

Ofsted, the body overseeing school inspections in England, has suspended its inspections following the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life after her school was downgraded from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate'.
New Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, announced that only emergency safeguarding visits will go ahead as schools reopen this week, and inspections will resume after assessors receive mental health training.
A coroner's inquest into Perry's death concluded that the inspection 'lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity' and 'likely contributed' to her suicide, leading to calls for a pause in inspections until changes are implemented.
Sir Martyn plans to bring in additional expertise around mental health, develop training for inspectors, and make it easier for schools to raise concerns. He also plans to recruit more heads to get involved in Ofsted inspections to rebuild trust.
Despite calls for an end to the use of one or two-word judgements on schools, the government has made it clear it has no plans to change this system.