| SPOTLIGHT |
Inspections of schools and further education providers in England will begin from 22 January, following mental health awareness training for all lead inspectors, Ofsted has revealed.
Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said Ofsted will respond “in full” to a coroner’s recommendations tomorrow (19 January), setting out clearly how it will conduct inspections with “professionalism, courtesy, respect and empathy”.
This comes after the coroner ruled that an Ofsted inspection "contributed" to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while waiting for a report that downgraded her school to "inadequate".
Senior coroner Heidi Connor said the inspection "lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity", during which Ms Perry’s mental health “deteriorated significantly”.
Geoff Barton (Association of School and College Leaders), Paul Whiteman (National Association of Head Teachers) and Leora Cruddas (Confederation of School Trusts) are to provide “constructive challenge” to Ofsted as it responds to the inquest.
The watchdog said its response to the coroner will detail work done prior to the inquest, work done immediately following the coroner’s findings and where Ofsted will focus in the longer-term.
“In particular, the group will reconvene for intensive work on ensuring headteachers feel confident, as inspections resume, to raise any serious concerns”, it added.
Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of education, children’s services and skills, said: “Inspection plays a vital role in making sure that children and learners are getting the education and care they need and deserve. So we need to get back to that work as quickly as we can. But I’ve also been very clear that we must reflect on the findings of the coroner, learn from the tragic events of last year, and emerge as a better and more effective inspectorate. That means being trusted by parents and respected by the education and social care professionals we work with.
“We paused school and FE inspections to allow for training to take place. This mental health awareness training is a first step – but for me a critical first step – in reassuring the sectors we work with that we’re serious about change. I’m grateful to the leaders of ASCL, NAHT and the Confederation of School Trusts for some really constructive discussions this week. We’ve agreed that the 22 January is the right date to restart school and FE inspections. That will allow all inspectors to begin the training ahead of then, and gives us time to make sure that every single lead inspector on a school or FE inspection, will have completed it.”
Lottie Winson
