Inquiry into Ofsted inspections launched following death of Reading headteacher

Author: Grace McGachyPublished 25th Apr 2023
Last updated 25th Apr 2023

The National Education Union has launched an inquiry saying it wants to improve school inspections in England.

It follows the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while waiting for a report which rated her school, Caversham Primary in Reading as "inadequate".

Pressure has been growing for Ofsted to drop its one word assessments like 'outstanding' and 'inadequate'.

But the chief inspector of Ofsted Amanda Spielman say the ratings are 'integral' to the school system and parents find them useful.

Ofsted's chief inspector has refused to drop "one-word assessments" claiming parents find them useful.

The inquiry is being overseen by Lord Jim Knight and is due to be published in November.