Former chief inspector, Dame Christine Gilbert, has been appointed to oversee an independent review into Ofsted’s actions after the suicide of Ruth Perry, sparking debates over the review’s independence and potential bias.
Dame Christine Gilbert, a former chief inspector, has been appointed to lead an independent review into the response of the education watchdog, Ofsted, following the tragic suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry. Ruth Perry, who was the headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, took her life after an Ofsted report downgraded her school over safeguarding concerns. The appointment of Gilbert, who led Ofsted from 2006 to 2011, has sparked controversy and concerns about the review’s independence, particularly from Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, and the National Education Union. They fear potential bias due to Gilbert’s previous association with Ofsted.
The review aims to scrutinize Ofsted’s actions from the conclusion of the inspection at Caversham Primary to the end of the inquest following Perry’s death. It will not evaluate the specifics of the school’s inspection but will focus on improving Ofsted’s handling of such incidents in the future. The initiative is in response to a coroner’s report, which suggested that the inspection likely contributed to Perry’s decision to take her own life, and a Prevention of Future Deaths report.
Despite the concerns raised, Dame Christine Gilbert has committed to conducting a thorough examination of Ofsted’s processes and engaging with Perry’s family to fully understand the impact of the watchdog’s actions. Sir Martyn Oliver, the current chief inspector of Ofsted, has welcomed Gilbert’s appointment, emphasizing the importance of learning from the events surrounding Perry’s death.
The review, set to begin this month, is expected to complement the findings from the recent “Big Listen” public consultation. It aims to enhance trust and transparency in Ofsted by recommending changes to internal policies and responses to tragic incidents. Stakeholders, including school leaders and unions, have emphasized the need for the review to be truly independent and impartial to rebuild confidence in Ofsted’s processes and practices. Gilbert is expected to deliver a report later in the year detailing her findings and recommendations for improvement.
