Commenting on the announcement that former Ofsted Chief Inspector Dame Christine Gilbert will lead an independent enquiry into the organisation’s response to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“A review into Ofsted's response to the death of Ruth Perry - and the Coroner’s findings - will only take us forward if it is impartial and independent. The review should be carried out by someone from outside Ofsted, rather than a former Chief Inspector, so that it has the trust of the profession, and we can all have faith in the process.
‘Ofsted creates a culture across schools and colleges which is a factor in severe retention problems, especially in disadvantaged areas, ill -health, and unsustainable workloads.
‘The tragic suicide of Ruth Perry should have been a watershed moment for Ofsted.
‘We hope that the review will hear from a wide range of leaders and teachers as this needs to be a moment for a genuine change in direction in school evaluation and inspection”.