Death of Ruth Perry

Ruth Perry
Died(2023-01-08)8 January 2023
Cause of deathSuicide, contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022.

Ruth Perry was a British head teacher who died by suicide on 8 January 2023 while awaiting the publication of an Ofsted report which downgraded her school's rating from "outstanding" to "inadequate".[1] Perry was the head teacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading for 13 years.[2]

Background

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The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, known as Ofsted, inspects and regulates schools in England. Schools are graded with one of the four one-word ratings: "Outstanding"; "Good"; "Requires Improvement"; or "Inadequate".[3]

A private memorial service was held at Reading Town Hall.[1]

Inquest

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The inquest by Heidi Connor, Senior Coroner for Berkshire, concluded on 12 December 2023. The coroner concluded that Perry's death was a result of "Suicide, contributed to by an Ofsted inspection carried out in November 2022".[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ruth Perry: Memorial service held for Reading head teacher". BBC News. 20 May 2023. Archived from the original on 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  2. ^ Jeffreys, Branwen; George, Sallie (7 December 2023). "I.N.A.D.E.Q.U.A.T.E - Ruth Perry's despair in handwritten notes". BBC News. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  3. ^ Clarke, Vanessa (25 April 2024). "What is Ofsted and how do school inspections work?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  4. ^ Connor, Heidi (12 December 2023). Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (PDF). His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.