NEU comment on the inquest verdict into the death of head teacher Ruth Perry

Commenting as the coroner delivers their verdict following the inquest into the death of head teacher Ruth Perry, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:    

“Lessons must be learnt from this inquest.  There must be significant change. School inspection in its current form is a risk to health and well-being.  School leaders' welfare and wellbeing really do need to be valued more seriously - and we must listen to leaders when they warn that Ofsted inspections currently feel too pressured and too isolating.  

‘The individual women and men all over the country who lead our schools take on immense responsibility and workloads. They are dedicated to working hard and diligently in what are really tough and often lonely jobs. 

‘School leaders often feel valued and supported by pupils and colleagues - but most don't feel that the complexity of their jobs in recent years is understood by Government and certainly not by Ofsted. We expect statements from government and Ofsted that respond promptly and meaningfully to the Coroner's verdict and that are adequate to the seriousness of the moment. The burdens that inspection places on schools and school leaders must be immediately lifted,  to give schools relief from the pressures that the Inquest has so tragically revealed”.