I feel more strongly than ever that Ofsted needs huge reform

Head struck down by heart condition due to huge stress of inspections tells chief reporter Neal Keeling that his school's 'good' rating hasn't changed his view on watchdog's failings

- Neal Keeling

A YEAR ago, headteacher Ben Davis revealed how the stress from Ofsted inspections had given him a heart condition.

Since 2016 inspection, St Ambrose Barlow RC High in Wardley, Swinton, had been stuck in the 'requires improvement' category.

Ben had endured eight Ofsted inspections during his tenure, which he frankly admitted had physically and mentally taken its toll. He had considered quitting due to the 'highstakes climate of fear' he claimed the system creates.

But he stuck at it - and this week, a new inspection report revealed the school has been graded 'good' There will be no bunting declaring that fact outside the school.

Ben believes the death last year of a teacher should have been a watershed moment in how schools are assessed. Last year he composed a letter to Ofsted - backed by 100 headteachers and principals from Salford schools and colleges - calling for the watchdog to suspend inspections in the wake of Ruth Perry's death.

He said 'an ethic of proud and humble public service is being eroded by a regime of fear and humiliation'. Ms Perry took her own life in January, 2023.

Berkshire's senior coroner ruled her suicide was contributed to by an Ofsted inspection - following which her school was downgraded from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' - after an inquest.

Her family said the Caversham Primary School head was 'an absolute shadow of herself. This week, the government's decision that the system of one-word Ofsted judgments in schools in England should remain triggered controversy.

Ministers say the grades give parents an important summary of schools' performance. Ms Perry's sister Professor Julia Walters said she was deeply upset by the government's response.