Headteacher says Ofsted inspections could cause more tragedies

Описание: Warning: This report contains references to suicide.

These are the accounts of teachers, who say the new Ofsted inspections system is still putting school staff under immense pressure.

One headteacher we spoke to anonymously described the inspection as “the worst two days of my entire career... possibly the worst two days of my adult life".

He told us he had experienced suicidal thoughts following the inspection.

Ofsted changed their inspections system after the death of Ruth Perry, a headteacher who died following an inspection of her school.

A coroner concluded the inspection had contributed to her death and issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to both Ofsted and Reading Borough Council.

In a statement, Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said: "I am very sorry to hear that these head teachers feel the way they do. Our new framework has been designed with head teachers’ wellbeing firmly in mind. And our inspectors all complete mental health training that helps them recognise and respond to signs of distress.

"However, I cannot remove all the pressure from the inspection process. Our priority is always the education and welfare of children. That means holding schools to account and, sometimes, conveying difficult messages where standards are not high enough.

"I am pleased that a great many school leaders have told us that inspection now feels more collaborative and constructive. But we take all feedback seriously and we will continue to listen."

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this report, you can find help and advice here: https://www.itv.com/thismorning/artic...

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