CYP Now - Inspector quits Ofsted over headteacher’s death

An Ofsted inspector has resigned following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life earlier this year after her school was downgraded by the inspectorate from “outstanding” to “inadequate”.

Ofsted has been criticised over its response to headteacher Ruth Perry's death. Picture: Phil Adams

In resigning as a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) specialist inspector, Dr Martin Hanbury also launched a scathing attack on Ofsted’s leadership.

“In recent months I have increasingly felt that Ofsted is no longer achieving its mission of ‘raising standards, improving lives’," he said in his resignation letter to chief inspector Amanda Spielman.

“This creeping disillusionment was set in stark relief by the tragic death of Ruth Perry. Ofsted’s ‘tone deaf’ response to Ruth’s death has troubled me to the extent that I can no longer be associated with the organisation."

He also accused Ofsted of “poor decision making and rushed processes” caused by “capacity issues” and a “flawed strategic decision” to “resume normal service in these most abnormal of times” post Covid and amid the cost-of-living crisis.

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