Ofsted to Publish New Guidelines on Pausing Inspections Amid Staff Distress

Changes come in response to a coroner's report linking a headteacher's suicide to an Ofsted inspection, but critics argue more reform is needed.

Ofsted, the schools inspectorate for England, is set to publish new guidelines on pausing inspections if staff show signs of distress. This comes in response to the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose death was linked to an Ofsted inspection that downgraded her school from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.
The new policy is part of a broader response to a coroner's report, which includes a public consultation with families and teachers, and a review of how Ofsted inspects and grades safeguarding in schools.
Despite these changes, Perry's family and school leaders have expressed disappointment that neither Ofsted nor the Department for Education have addressed the use of single-phrase judgments such as 'inadequate' to grade schools, which they argue is an impediment to real reform.
Ofsted's new chief inspector, Martyn Oliver, has pledged to carry out the inspectorate's role in a way that is sensitive to the pressures faced by school leaders and staff, without losing focus on children and learners.
Ofsted's response also includes training for all inspectors to recognize and respond to signs of distress in school leaders, and a 'clear and simple' process for providers who have concerns about an inspection to speak to an unconnected senior Ofsted employee.