Ruth Perry took her own life after Ofsted downgraded her primary school to 'inadequate': Coroner rules watchdog inspection 'likely contributed' to headteacher's death

Headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life due to the stress caused by an after Ofsted inspection that downgraded her popular Reading primary school to the lowest rating in November last year, a coroner has ruled. 

Her heart-broken husband Jonathan and sister Professor Julia Waters were at the hearing held at Reading Town Hall to listen to Senior Berkshire Coroner Heidi Connor deliver her verdict.

Mrs Connor said: 'Ruth Perry committed suicide contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022.'

Mrs Perry's family say she took her own life after a report from the schools watchdog Ofsted downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.

Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, told the inquest that Mrs Perry had experienced the 'worst day of her life' after inspectors reviewed the school on November 15 and 16 last year.

Berkshire Coroner Heidi Connor told the court Mrs Perry, 53, was found by police having hanged herself in January this year at an address in Reading.

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

Inspectors the school leaders did not have the 'required knowledge to keep pupils safe from harm', did not take 'prompt and proper actions' and had not ensure safeguarding was 'effective'.

After Mrs Perry's death there were widespread calls for Ofsted to revamp its school ratings system, with headteachers leading the backlash.

The inquest, held at Reading Town Hall, explored the impact of the inspection on Mrs Perry's mental health.

The coroner asked Mrs Perry's GP and her colleagues whether there was a 'direct link' between the Ofsted inspection and her death.

All those questioned replied: 'Yes'.

Ofsted inspector Alan Derry, who led the review of the popular primary school, told the court that Mrs Perry had been 'tearful' and kept saying 'it's not looking good, is it?', during his meetings with the headteacher.

Mrs Perry's husband, Jonathan, told the court his wife felt the Ofsted inspector was a 'bully' with an 'agenda'. He said she feared that the lowest Ofsted grading would signal the end of her career.

He told the inquest his wife had had 'dark thoughts' about ending her life following the Ofsted inspection.

The headteacher felt she had 'let everyone down' when the watchdog downgraded her school from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate', Jonathan Perry said in a statement.

He added that she worried about the impact on the wider community, fearing it would cause her neighbours' house prices to plummet and that locals would be angry with her as a result.

The Perrys were due to exchange contracts on a new house on the first date of the inspection, the court was told.

Mrs Perry's GP, Dr Tom Black said the Ofsted inspection of her school had contributed to her death.

He told the court she became worried that she would lose her job and the family ruined financially following the Ofsted inspection, as she was the 'main breadwinner'.

Reading Borough Council told the inquest it will more 'proactive' in challenging Ofsted inspections and 'advocate for school leaders' from now on.

Education chief Brian Grady told the court he had spent 'a lot of time' considering the events surrounding Mrs Perry's death after the inspection.

Mrs Perry began writing a diary on 4th November last year, the day before the Ofsted inspection, and made her last entry on 6th January this year, 48 hours before killing herself, one of the police officers who found her told the court.

Reading Coroner's Court was told previously that an Ofsted school inspection could not be paused even if it is causing extreme stress and anxiety to the teachers under review.

Asked by Berkshire Heidi Connor why Reading Borough Council had not challenged Ofsted's 'inadequate' grading of the popular primary, the Director of Education Brian Grady replied: 'This is something that I have thought about a lot over this past year.

'We are going to make a stronger, more proactive and robust role to challenge complaints about Ofsted inspections.

'We are going to support school leaders about their rights and we are going to advocate for school leaders.

'This is an area of significant difference and learning [from last year].'

Mr Grady said he was unaware that a school had the option to ask for a 'pause' in an Ofsted inspection.

But he added: '[Now] We will support any request to suspend an inspection.'

For help and support contact the Samaritans completely anonymously, and for free from a UK phone, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.