Pressure is mounting on Ofsted as schools across the country show their support for Reading headteacher Ruth Perry

Teachers in other parts of the country are calling for urgent changes to Ofsted - following the death of a Berkshire headteacher.

Ruth Perry took her own life while waiting for an Ofsted report, which gave her Reading school the lowest rating.

One of the ideas from primary school leaders in Suffolk is for teachers to wear black armbands during future Ofsted inspections.

Rebecca Leek, executive director of the Suffolk Primary Headteachers' Association (SPHA), said "I have had strength of feeling from headteachers who would be prepared to do something.

She told the PA news agency: "I have had strength of feeling from headteachers who would be prepared to do something.

"I think that Ruth's death, that tragedy, has given people courage to speak out about things that they have been concerned about for a very long time."

"Cruel"

Teachers at John Rankin School in Newbury, Berkshire - where the headteacher had planned to refuse Ofsted inspectors entry but then reversed her decision - wore black armbands outside the school on Tuesday.

Parents and former teachers at the school gates criticised Ofsted as the inspection got under way - and one protester called the process "cruel".

"Deeply harmful"

Professor Julia Waters, Ms Perry's sister, said the watchdog's report was "deeply harmful" in its "implied focus on one individual".

The inspection report, published on Ofsted's website on Tuesday, found the school to be "good" in every category apart from leadership and management, where it was judged to be "inadequate".

Petition

A petition calling for an inquiry into the inspection of Caversham Primary School has more than 128,000 signatures.

Meanwhile, three unions representing teachers and headteachers have urged Ofsted to pause inspections this week.

Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "This shows the strength of feeling among leaders and teachers over the death of Ruth Perry and the desperate need for reform of an inspection system which is far too harsh and punitive."

"Incredible amounts of stress"

Liz, a former teacher mentored by Ms Perry who held a placard saying "RIP Ruth" outside the Newbury primary school, said the inspection process caused "incredible amounts of stress".

Jelena, who has a child at John Rankin Junior School, said she was backing Ms Cooper against "intensely cruel" Ofsted inspections, and she added that the system was "antiquated and needs a complete reform".

The protest came after Ms Waters suggested a number of actions could be taken by school staff in memory of her sister Ms Perry - including wearing black armbands when inspectors are on site.

In a statement on behalf of her family, Ms Waters said some of the Ofsted inspectors' conclusions were "sensationalist" and "drawn from scant evidence".

She said her sister died "under intolerable pressure from external scrutiny".

Ms Waters said: "We are in no doubt that Ruth's death was a direct result of the pressure put on her by the process and outcome of an Ofsted inspection at her school."

The family rejects Ofsted's judgment of Ms Perry's leadership and they are calling for the system to be reviewed and changed to focus on the welfare of teaching staff and pupils.

"We support anyone who cares about education in this country and wishes to drive forward rapid, far-reaching change to Ofsted's punitive regime," Ms Waters added.

"Urgent reform is required"

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: "There is clearly an extremely strong sense of hurt and anger amongst school leaders, and a determination that urgent reform is required when it comes to school inspection.

"This is not something that is new, but recent tragic events have certainly brought things to a head.

"It is essential that Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE) listen to what educational professions are saying - now is the time for change."

An inquest into the headteacher's death will take place at Berkshire Coroner's Court later this year.

What has Ofsted said?

Matthew Purves, Ofsted's regional director for the South East, said: "We were deeply saddened by Ruth Perry's tragic death.

"Our thoughts remain with Mrs Perry's family, friends and everyone in the Caversham Primary School community."

For anyone who needs help, Samaritans can be contacted for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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