Inquest into the death of Reading headteacher Ruth Perry
Her death led to calls for OFSTED to change the way school inspections are carried out
Last updated 28th Nov 2023
The inquest into the death of Reading headteacher Ruth Perry begins at Berkshire Coroner's Court later.
Ms Perry took her own life in January following an Ofsted report which downgraded her Caversham school from its highest rating to its lowest.
Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, has previously said Ms Perry experienced the "worst day of her life" after inspectors reviewed her school.
Ofsted denied that the manner in which a school inspection was carried out contributed to Ms Perry's death - at a pre-inquest review held in July.
Meanwhile it's been revealed Ms Perry's family have surpassed their crowdfunding target to pay for legal advice and representation at the inquest into her death, after announcing their application for legal aid was rejected.
Professor Julia Waters, set up a GoFundMe page to raise £50,000.
On the page it was announced that the family's application for legal aid was rejected "just days" before the start of the inquest, while other parties - Ofsted, Reading Borough Council and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust - will "de facto" have their legal costs "paid from the public purse" as public bodies.
"We believe this legal and financial inequity to be unjust," the page's description said.
"The family hopes that the inquest will reveal the truth about the circumstances leading to Ruth's death and the opportunities that were missed to prevent it.
"They hope that lessons can be learnt to prevent future such deaths from occurring.
"Please donate to our crowdfunder if you feel the lack of legal aid for Ruth Perry's family is unjust and inequitable, and if you wish to support their campaign for meaningful change in Ruth's name."
It was also made clear that any money raised beyond the target would be donated to the charity Inquest, which supports people bereaved by state-related deaths.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We know this will be an incredibly difficult time for the family and friends of Ruth Perry and our thoughts remain with them.
"Legal aid representation is not necessary in the vast majority of inquests but we have made changes to ensure there is more support for those who have lost loved ones."
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