A headteacher who killed herself after an Ofsted inspection had told an NHS clinician she was "amazed" that more school leaders did not take their own lives as a result of the watchdog's visits, an inquest heard yesterday.
"This is the most inhumane system," said Ruth Perry. "It's totally wrong that one person is made to feel like this. I'm amazed that there are not more heads killing themselves."
Speaking during treatment for her mental health struggles a few weeks before her death, she added: "Ofsted needs to change."
Berkshire coroner's court also heard from Perry's GP and other medical professionals from whom she sought help as her mental health deteriorated after Ofsted's inspection of Caversham primary school in Reading, where Perry was headteacher.
Ofsted downgraded the school from "outstanding" to "inadequate" over safeguarding procedures, with Perry's family saying she took her life as a result.
This story is from the December 02, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 02, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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