The Latest Breaking News from Ruth Perry

Editorial: There is little evidence that the current regime helps schools to improve – and plenty of evidence that a better system is needed

In today’s newsletter: After the death of a headteacher and years of dissatisfaction with inspections, the schools watchdog is under pressure to changes its methods

Amanda Spielman says for vast majority of schools ‘it’s a positive and affirming experience’

Amanda Spielman's remarks came after Ms Perry's sister said pausing inspections would be the 'empathetic, human, correct thing to do' while a review takes place

'From what I’ve seen, I don’t have any reason to doubt the inspection'

Ruth Perry, who was headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, took her own life in January while waiting for an Ofsted report.

Headteacher’s suicide has led to calls for reform but chief inspector says one-word grades ‘integral’

Amanda Spielman described the gradings, which range from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’, as ‘integral’ to the school system.

It comes amid growing pressure to reform the present grading system - which has been dubbed too simplistic and fails to reflect the complexity of a school and its teaching quality.

Ruth Perry killed herself in January while awaiting an Ofsted report which downgraded her school.

The school inspectorate in England, Ofsted, has faced criticism recently following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. According to her family, Perry’s death was a “direct result” of the pressure resulting from the Ofsted inspection process which resulted in her school being judged as “inadequate”.