MINISTERS came under further pressure to reform Ofsted today in the wake of damning inquest conclusions over headteacher Ruth Perry’s death.

A new report by the Institute for Government think tank found large cuts in the schools regulator’s funding have put the quality of inspections at risk “even though ministers are more reliant than ever” on using them to justify firing headteachers.

Released ahead of Sir Martyn Oliver starting his five-year term as chief inspector on New Year’s Day, the report echoed teaching unions’ calls for Ofsted to provide a “comprehensive response” to the concerns highlighted in Ms Perry’s inquest.

It also urged the Department for Education (DfE) to immediately stop intervention based on two “requires improvement” inspection judgements, saying “removing this ‘cliff edge’” would reduce stress on teachers and hostility to Ofsted.

The Beyond Ofsted inquiry, backed by the National Education Union, recently concluded that schools should “self-evaluate their progress” instead.

The DfE said it was clear lessons needed to be learnt from Ms Perry’s death and it was considering changes with Ofsted “to make sure we have an inspection system that supports schools and teachers.”

But it added: “We believe that Ofsted is best placed to make judgements on a school’s overall quality and we remain committed to providing a clear and simple accountability system.”