Ruth Perry's sister 'reassured' by new Ofsted boss

Ruth Perry’s sister Julia Waters (right) speaking after the inquest in December

Ofsted's new chief inspector "understands the extent of change needed" after the death of head teacher Ruth Perry, her sister has said.

Prof Julia Waters had her first meeting with Sir Martyn Oliver on Thursday, in his first week in the role.

She said she felt reassured that he recognised her calls for "radical" and "systemic change" at Ofsted.

Mrs Perry, whose suicide was linked to an inspection by the education watchdog, died on 8 January 2023.

School inspections by Ofsted will resume on 22 January, it has been confirmed.

All lead inspectors working in schools and further education will have completed mental health awareness training by then, while every inspector working for Ofsted will have completed it by the end of March, the watchdog said.

Sir Martyn also said there would be a minute's silence to remember Mrs Perry on the first day of training, which will take place exactly one year on from her death.

• Ofsted boss promises minute's silence for head

• Ofsted inspections require more empathy - new boss

• Ofsted 'contributed' to Ruth Perry death

Speaking to the BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast programme on Friday, Prof Waters said she felt "cautiously reassured" that Sir Martyn agreed the extra training should be just the first step towards "much more profound change".

"What Sir Martyn has said, and what we have been pushing for, is there needs to be really radical change, systemic change, cultural change at Ofsted - and this training is just the start," she said.

In December, a coroner concluded that an Ofsted inspection of Caversham Primary School, in Reading, had contributed to the suicide of Mrs Perry, 53, as she waited for the publication of a report downgrading her school from outstanding to the bottom category, inadequate.

The coroner said the inspection had "lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity" and was at times "rude and intimidating".

The coroner issued a further report warning of the risk of future deaths if changes were not made. After meeting headteachers' union leaders on Friday, Ofsted said it will respond to the coroner formally by 19 January.

Speaking to BBC News in his first interview in the job earlier this week, Sir Martyn - who took over from Amanda Spielman as chief inspector on 1 January - said Ofsted had "a difficult job to do".

Sir Martyn Oliver took over as Chief Ofsted Inspector on 1 January

"Ultimately we have to be about high standards and say to parents: 'These are the standards that are being provided'. But I think we can do that in a way that is far more empathetic," he said.

He said Mrs Perry's death was a "terrible tragedy and a real shock".

Prof Waters said Sir Martyn had committed to further meetings with her and with other head teachers who had first hand experience of "traumatic" Ofsted inspections.

She said "hundreds" have been in touch with her in the wake of her sister's death.

"The extent and the depth of the damage that's been done by Ofsted inspections over the years is really staggering," she said.

"It's a national disgrace, and it needs to be addressed."