NASUWT comments following Ofsted inspection tragedy

Commenting following media reporting on the tragic death of headteacher, Ruth Perry, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT - The Teachers' Union, said:

"Our sincerest condolences go to Ms Perry's family, colleagues and friends in these terribly difficult and deeply sad circumstances. Our thoughts also go to the staff, pupils and parents of Caversham Primary School on their loss of a much loved and respected member of their community.

“No one should be any doubt about the tremendous pressures faced daily by school leaders and the need to ensure that all education staff are fully and properly supported to provide the very best education to the pupils they serve.

"This tragic event must now be subject to proper independent scrutiny, where the relevant facts in the period before, during and after the inspection are examined carefully.

"It is also right that the role played by the inspection process must also be examined and lessons learned.

“Securing high educational standards must never come at a cost to individual’s health, safety and wellbeing.

“It will be essential that any recommendations made by the Coroner are considered fully by Ofsted, the Government and employers in exercising their duty of care to school leaders and staff.”