Calls for Change to School Inspection System Following Head Teacher's Suicide

Ruth Perry, the head teacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, took her own life in January.

Following this, there have been calls for changes to the school inspection system.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted's former chief of inspections, suggested that the current one-word summaries should be scrapped.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, described the current system as "simplistic" and flawed.

However, Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's current chief inspector, has defended the current school grading system, stating that her team is "professional and humane in their inspection." She also said that the current system is useful for parents and the government, and that Ofsted is aware that people are unhappy with the current system.

An inquiry into Ofsted's school inspections has been launched by MPs to look at how useful they are to parents, governors, and schools in England.