Ofsted’s chief inspector says she has no reason to doubt the results of an inspection of a primary school after its headmistress killed herself.
Ruth Perry died in January while awaiting a report downgrading Caversham Primary in Reading.
The head of England’s Education Inspectorate, Amanda Spielman, said she was ready to meet Ms Perry’s family.
She also acknowledged that there was a “culture of fear” in schools around Ofsted inspections.
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In her first interview since Ms Perry’s death, Ms Spielman told BBC Sunday’s program with Laura Kuenssberg she believed the results were “safe” and that the inspection team “worked with the professionalism and sensitivity I would expect”.
When asked if she had any concerns about what happened during the inspection, she replied, “From what I’ve seen, I have no reason to doubt the inspection.”
Ms Perry’s family believe the fear and stress following the inspection led to her suicide.
When asked if she had spoken to the family, Ms Spielman said Ofsted had not received a speech and did not want to “penetrate her grief” but was “open” to meeting.
And when asked if she accepts that there is a “culture of fear” around Ofsted inspections, she replied: “I certainly acknowledge that there is.”
She said this was the result of several factors, including people pondering the consequences of inspections – particularly “inadequate” judgments – which she says account for a “tiny fraction”.
But she said for the vast majority of schools it’s been a “positive and affirming experience”.
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