‘Toxic’ Ofsted culture may lead to more cases like Ruth Perry, former inspector says

School watchdog should be abolished and is ‘past its time,’ former inspector says

A “toxic” culture around Ofsted inspections could lead to more cases like the late headteacher Ruth Perry, a former inspector has said.

Three unions representing teachers and school leaders have urged Ofsted to pause inspections this week after Ms Perry, who was head at Caversham Primary School in Reading, took her own life when awaiting a damning report from the watchdog.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said it is “important” that people listen to Ms Perry’s family, who said the watchdog’s report was “deeply harmful” in its “implied focus on one individual”.