Updated: 5 January 2024, 5:21pm
Ofsted inspections will restart on 22 January, the inspectorate has announced today.
New chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver halted inspections at the start of this year to ensure inspectors received mental health training, after a damning coroner’s report warned of a risk of future deaths following an inquest into headteacher Ruth Perry’s death.
The schools watchdog has also committed to publishing its response to the coroner’s Regulation 28 report on 19 January.
Sir Martyn met headteachers and trust leaders from the Association of School and College Leaders, the NAHT school leaders’ union and the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) this afternoon.
It is understood the unions have approved the restart date and are working with Ofsted to “provide challenge” as it formulates its response to the coroner’s report.
In December, unions jointly called for an “immediate pause” to inspections following a coroner’s finding that an Ofsted inspection likely contributed to Ms Perry’s death.
Last year, her family said that she took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her school, Caversham Primary in Reading, from the watchdog’s highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.
Mental health awareness training for all inspectors
Ofsted will provide mental health awareness training for all lead inspectors before resuming inspections, and mental health training for part-time inspectors by the end of March, the watchdog said today.
It added that the training will be delivered in two parts, with the first to be led by Sir Martyn on Monday (8 January), which will be recorded and shared publicly.
The social enterprise Mental Health First Aid England will then lead detailed small-group sessions with inspectors to help them understand and recognise any mental health issues they may encounter among school leaders and staff during inspections.
Commenting on the announcement, Sir Martyn, who also met Ms Perry’s sister Julia Waters this week, said that the training is a “critical first step in reassuring the sectors we work with that we’re serious about change”.
“Inspection plays a vital role in making sure that children and learners are getting the education and care they need and deserve. So we need to get back to that work as quickly as we can,” he said.
“But I’ve also been very clear that we must reflect on the findings of the coroner, learn from the tragic events of last year, and emerge as a better and more effective inspectorate,” he added.
Last month, the coroner Heidi Connor issued a prevention of future deaths report following an inquest into the death of Ms Perry, which concluded in December.
She gave Ofsted and the Department for Education until 7 February to respond to her concerns.
‘Early days’ for Ofsted and sector leader relationship
Geoff Barton, general secretary of ASCL, said that the relationship between the unions and Ofsted is in its “early days” following the appointment of the watchdog’s new head but that he looks forward to “continuing to work together constructively in pursuit of an inspection system that is fairer, less punitive and has the trust of school and college leaders”.
“The meeting gave us an opportunity to reflect on the concerns raised in the coroner’s report following the inquest into the death of Ruth Perry,” Mr Barton continued, and “discuss how relations between Ofsted and the profession can be reset”.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said that Sir Martyn “demonstrated a deep understanding of our members’ concerns and a determination to work with us to identify solutions.
“I am pleased that this meeting was more than a courtesy,” he added. “I felt that for the first time in far too long, Ofsted took seriously the concerns of NAHT members.”
Leora Cruddas, CEO of the CST, said that “the conversations today have been very positive and signal a change in practice, tone and culture”.
