IN THE BALANCE, RIGHT? "The power dynamic between the inspector and those being inspected."

The tragic story about Mrs Ruth Perry, who took her own life in January 2023 after learning her school, Caversham Primary in Berkshire, was set to be deemed Inadequate, is a reminder of the power dynamic between the inspector and those being inspected.

In December 2023, Heidi Connor, the senior coroner for Berkshire, said Perry’s suicide was “contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022” at the school that she led.

• https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/dec/07/ofsted-inspection-contributed-to-headteacher-suicide-ruth-perry-coroner-rules

MAJOR REVIEW – Sept 2024

Dame Christine Gilbert has now [Sept 2024] published her review in response to the coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths report from the headteacher’s inquest.

The review has found:-

• Ofsted's response to a head teacher's suicide following a school inspection was "defensive and complacent",

Dame Christine Gilbert's independent review was commissioned after an inquest last year concluded that-

• A critical Ofsted inspection "contributed" to Ruth Perry's death.

Ofsted chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, accepted most of the review's findings and said:-

• It highlighted "the power dynamic between the inspector and those being inspected".

The findings come:-

• After the government scrapped the practice of inspectors issuing an overall grade for a school - either Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.

'COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTIONAL'

The review said:-

• Ofsted acted with a "lack of awareness" when it did release a statement in March that "seemed to imply that Ofsted had little to learn from the tragedy."
• Inspectors thought the regulator had "done nothing wrong".

Dame Christine wrote:-

• "Ofsted’s initial response appears defensive and complacent rather than reflective and self-critical."
• Inspectors and schools had described Ofsted as "unwilling to respond constructively to criticism".

She said Ofsted's own Big Listen consultation, with thousands of teachers, parents, guardians, and children, found:-

• Ofsted’s culture creates stress, anxiety and apprehension among leaders and staff.
• Schools think inspectors should give more advice on improving instead of just descriptive reports.
• They want better collaboration from Ofsted and consistency between inspections.

Mrs Perry's sister, Prof Julia Waters, told BBC News that Dame Christine's review was:-

• "Evidence of a completely dysfunctional organisation".
• "Ofsted saw the death of my sister as a threat to their reputation, as a problem that had to be dealt with, and they refused, at least externally, to admit that they could have done anything wrong.
• "It is utterly hypocritical that they hold schools to such high levels of accountability when refusing to be held accountable themselves."

Dame Christine's recommendations include:-

• Staff training for Ofsted's top officials and board members to improve communications with staff and schools in crisis situations and for Ofsted's board to promote an improved culture of openness.
• New training for inspectors to spot when school staff are distressed or anxious should be expanded and "very specifically designed to reflect the unique power dynamic of inspection".

Ofsted

• Said it would build on inspectors' mental health awareness with a new Ofsted Academy.
• Published research on Tuesday suggesting strong support for school inspections from parents, many of whom use them to inform decisions about their children's education - but there was mixed support for single-word judgements.

Sir Martyn said.

• Ofsted had done "much great work" but that his consultation had uncovered "much criticism".
• "We are committed to reducing unnecessary pressure on the professionals we work with. But we also must continue to be honest about the state of the systems we inspect and call out poor practice and unacceptably low standards for children and learners, without fear or favour," he said.
• "This is the balance we must, and will, strike.
• "Now it is time to act."

What can all regulators learn from Dame Christine Gilbert's report about Ofsted's response to a head teacher's suicide?

Dame Christine Gilbert's report on Ofsted's response to the tragic suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry offers several critical lessons for all regulators:

1. Avoid Defensive Responses: The report criticised Ofsted for its initial defensive and complacent response. Regulators should be open to self-reflection and willing to acknowledge mistakes.
2. Improve Communication: More timely communication with Ruth Perry's family and school is needed. Effective and empathetic communication is crucial, especially in sensitive situations.
3. Address the Climate of Fear: The report highlighted fear and frustration around inspections. Regulators should work to build trust and reduce anxiety among those they oversee.
4. Acknowledge Human Error: The report emphasised the need for regulators to admit human error when it occurs. This can help in building a more transparent and accountable system.
5. Support Mental Health: The well-being of those being inspected should be a priority. The report suggested that the stress of inspections can impact mental health. Providing support and resources for mental health is essential.

These lessons can help create a more compassionate and effective regulatory environment. What do you think about these recommendations?

Source:  

1. Ofsted complacent after head's death, says review. https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/ofsted-complacent-after-head-s-death-says-review/ar-AA1pSXFq.
2. The review finds that Ofsted's first response to Ruth Perry's death looked 'defensive and complacent'. https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2024-09-02/ofsteds-first-response-to-headteachers-death-looked-defensive-and-complacent.
3. Ofsted 'defensive and complacent' after head death - review. https://schoolsweek.co.uk/gilbert-review-ofsted-defensive-and-complacent-after-heads-death/.
4. Gilbert review: Ofsted ‘defensive and complacent’ after head’s death. https://feweek.co.uk/gilbert-review-ofsted-defensive-and-complacent-after-heads-death/.
5. Independent learning review for Ofsted by Dame Christine Gilbert - GOV.UK. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66ce24201aaf41b21139cf94/Independent_learning_review_for_Ofsted_by_Dame_Christine_Gilbert.pdf.
6. Ofsted complacent after head's death, says review - BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0rd785z99o.

SOURCE

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0rd785z99o
• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ofsted-reading-dame-naht-england-b2605944.html