MPs call on Ofsted to come up with a different rating system to its single-word judgements for assessing schools

MPs said there is a need for 'action' to address 'widespread and deep concern'

Ofsted should come up with an alternative to single-word judgements when inspecting schools following the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry, the Education Committee has said.

The Commons committee added there is need for ‘more action’ to address ‘widespread and deep concern’ about the inspections system, including the blunt ‘inadequate’ category for troubled schools.

Their report recommends the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted – headed by new chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver – develop an alternative to the single-word judgements ‘as a priority’ and called on the two bodies to review the support on offer to school leaders during and after an inspection.

The contents of the report were welcomed by Mrs Perry’s family, who took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.

In December, a coroner concluded the Ofsted inspection in November 2022 ‘likely contributed’ to Mrs Perry’s death.

The Commons committee added there is need for ‘more action’ to address ‘widespread and deep concern’ about the inspections system, including the blunt ‘inadequate’ category for troubled schools. Pictured: Ruth Perry

The contents of the report were welcomed by Mrs Perry’s family. Pictured: A photograph of Ruth Perry attached to the fence outside John Rankin Schools in Newbury, Berkshire

Since the inquest, the watchdog has made some changes and it has published a policy on how school inspections can be paused in exceptional circumstances – including where the headteacher requires support.

Referring to the Education Committee’s report, Professor Julia Waters, Mrs Perry’s sister, said: ‘My family and I can only hope that this report and its recommendations will help to bring about the change needed to prevent other tragedies from occurring in the future.’

She called on Gillian Keegan to act, saying: ‘The Education Secretary has been keen in the past to ask people to congratulate her on what a great job she has done, while others have sat down and done nothing. It’s time she got to her feet now to end single-word judgements.’

Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commented ‘Rebuilding the fractured relationship between schools, families and government will be a key priority for an incoming Labour government as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.’