A group of headteachers have warned colleagues are leaving the profession due to "unreasonable pressures" from Ofsted inspections.
Members of Sefton Association of Primary Headteachers (SAPH) have penned a letter to Ofsted calling for changes in how the education inspectors conduct visits to schools. The letter follows the tragic death of Ruth Perry - a headteacher who took her own life following the inspection outcome at her school.
Following the death of the 53-year-old mum, her family 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". Ms Perry's sister, Professor Julia Waters, claimed the findings were "disproportionate, unfair and, as has tragically been proven, deeply harmful in their (implied) focus on one individual".
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SAPH, which represents around 80 schools in the Sefton area, said headteachers "carry the weight of responsibility for our school communities with pride". But in a letter the association said headteachers have reported inconsistencies in the approach of inspectors.
The letter, seen by the ECHO, said: "While some carry out their role in a supportive and collegiate manner, others appear to consciously or subconsciously wield the power they hold in a manner that seems designed to 'catch out' school leaders."
The association added: "[Colleagues] are actively choosing to leave the profession or not follow their aspirations to become a school leader due to the significant and unreasonable pressures they may face as a direct result of the current inspection regime. Like others we recognise that school inspections should be a welcome and positive contribution to improve standards in education."
Suzanne Payne, chair of the SAPH, told the ECHO: "We were devastated when we heard of Ruth's death - that someone felt they had no other option than to take their own life following an Ofsted inspection is terribly sad. We wrote the letter to Ofsted last week calling for a review into the inspection regime."
The 58-year-old, who has been in the role three years and is a former headteacher, added: "I do want to say that we are not calling for a removal of inspections. Instead, we hope that there will be some consideration to do it in a different manner."
Since Ms Perry's death schools have protested against Ofsted inspectors. One headteacher threatened to refuse the education watchdog entry to the school, but instead wore a black armband when inspectors arrived. The SAPH, along with other sector bodies, have requested a more collaborative and supportive process with inspectors.
At the moment all schools are rated on the same four-point scale, with grade one 'outstanding' and grade four 'inadequate'. The SAPH has called for an end to one-word judgements and more of a focus on what the school does well and what it needs to improve on.
The association has also requested that inspectors "understand the contexts in which different schools operate" - and there to be bespoke approaches because of the differences. Ms Payne told the ECHO the collective of Sefton headteachers would also like inspections suspended while a serious case review of the circumstances around Ms Perry's death are carried out.
Last week the National Education Union (NEU) handed in a petition to the Department for Education asking them to replace Ofsted with a "supportive, effective and fair" system. The petition has been signed by over 50,000 members, but Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman told the BBC inspections are important for both schools and parents.
Ms Spielman said: "Our school inspectors are all former or serving school leaders...They understand the vital work head teachers do and the pressures they are under." She added it would be "against children's best interests" if school inspections were stopped.
The SAPH is waiting to receive a response from Ofsted regarding the members' letter.
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