 | An editor has performed a search and found that sufficient sources exist to establish the subject's notability.(October 2024) |
Ruth Perry | |
|---|---|
| Died | 8 January 2023 |
| Cause of death | Suicide, contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022. |
Ruth Perry was a British head teacher who died by suicide on 8 January 2023 while awaiting the publication of an Ofsted report which downgraded her school's rating from "outstanding" to "inadequate". [1]
Ruth Carla Perry was raised in Caversham, a suburb of Reading, in Berkshire, England. [2] [3] She was the head teacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading for 13 years. [3]
Ofsted is a non-ministerial department that inspects all state-funded schools in England. [4]
Caversham Primary School (CPS) underwent an Ofsted inspection on 15 and 16 November 2022. This was the first Ofsted inspection that CPS had had for 13 years as there was previously a policy that meant schools rated outstanding were not inspected in line with usual timescales. This policy changed in 2021, and CPS was therefore due for an inspection. [5]
A private memorial service was held at Reading Town Hall. [1]
The inquest by Heidi Connor, Senior Coroner for Berkshire, concluded on 12 December 2023. The coroner concluded that Perry's death was a result of "Suicide, contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022". [2]
School teaching and leadership unions had also reacted to Ms Perry’s death by calling for a pause to Ofsted inspections and reiterating long-standing calls for reform of the inspection system. [6]
An independent review of Ofsted's response to the death was conducted by Dame Christine Gilbert and found that the agency was "defensive and complacent". [7]
Prior to the 2024 general election, teaching and leadership unions intensified their calls for reform of the inspection regime. These calls were amplified following the death of Ruth Perry. On 2 September 2024, the Labour government announced single- or two-word overall effectiveness judgements for schools would cease with immediate effect. A new ‘scorecard’ system would be introduced by 2025. [8]
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) is a non-ministerial department of His Majesty's government, reporting to Parliament. Ofsted's role is to make sure that organisations providing education, training and childcare services in England do so to a high standard for children and students. Ofsted is responsible for inspecting a range of educational institutions, including state schools and some independent schools. It also inspects childcare, adoption and fostering agencies and initial teacher training, and regulates early years childcare facilities and children's social care services.
Caversham is a village and suburb of Reading in Berkshire, England, located directly north of Reading town centre across the River Thames. Caversham rises from the River Thames, lying on flood plain and the lowest reaches of the Chiltern Hills. Two road bridges, including Caversham Bridge, and two footbridges join Caversham to the rest of Reading. Named areas within the village include Emmer Green, Lower Caversham, Caversham Heights and Caversham Park Village. Notable landmarks include Caversham Court, a public park and former country house; Caversham Lakes; and part of the Thames Path national trail.
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Theale Green School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form with academy status, located in the village of Theale, Berkshire, England.
Caversham Primary School is a state primary school in Caversham, a suburb of Reading, Berkshire in England. The school was established in 1907 and educates around 450 children between the ages of 4 and 11.
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This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence : Connor, Heidi (19 December 2023). Ruth Perry: Prevention of future deaths report (Report). His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service. 2023-0524. Retrieved 8 October 2024.