Ofsted bows to pressure and halts inspections after head's suicide

New watchdog chief says training is key to learning from Ruth Perry’s death

- Richard Adams

Ofsted inspections will be halted until assessors have been properly trained in protecting the wellbeing of school staff , the new head of the watchdog has announced after the sector was rocked by the suicide of a head teacher.

Sir Martyn Oliver becomes the chief inspector of education in England today and has pledged to launch an inquiry into Ofsted’s involvement in the death of Ruth Perry.

Last month a coroner ruled the inspection of Perry’s school had contributed to her death. A “prevention of future deaths” notice was issued, listing a string of issues for the body to address urgently.

Unions have called for all inspections to be suspended in the interim.

In an interview, Oliver told the Guardian he would heed their call until staff had received “immediate training and support” on alleviating the stress put on teachers during inspections . Only emergency safeguarding visits will go ahead when schools reopen this week.