TEACHERS have condemned a report by MPs on Ofsted for failing to grasp “the true scale of the problem” faced by schools whose reputations are ruined by one-word judgements.

The Commons cross-party education committee’s report into Ofsted’s work with schools, due to be published today, says “more action” is needed to address “widespread and deep concern” about the inspections system.

It recommends the Department for Education and its standards watchdog Ofsted, headed by new chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver, develop an alternative to the single-word judgements as a priority.

The report also calls on the two bodies to review the support mechanisms available to school leaders during and after an inspection.

It comes after Ruth Perry, head of Caversham Primary School in Reading, took her own life following an Ofsted inspection that downgraded her school from its highest rating to its lowest.

In December, a coroner concluded the Ofsted inspection in November 2022 “likely contributed” to Ms Perry’s death.

But teaching union the National Education Union (NEU) says the committee’s report does not go far enough.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “Schools are complex, and single-word judgements are not a sustainable means of assessing them.

“We need Ofsted to be replaced altogether by a system of inspection which is supportive, effective and fair. The inspectorate in its current form is none of these things.”

Professor Julia Waters, Ms Perry’s sister, said: “My family and I can only hope that this report and its recommendations will help to bring about the change needed to prevent other tragedies from occurring in the future.

“The Education Secretary [Gillian Keegan] has been keen in the past to ask people to congratulate her on what a great job she has done, while others have sat down and done nothing. It’s time she got to her feet now to end single-word judgements.”

Committee chairman Conservative MP Robin Walker said: “The bulk of the evidence we received expressed widespread and deep concern about how the system works.

“We repeatedly heard that Ofsted has lost the trust of a significant chunk of the teaching profession and leaders.

“Ofsted must ensure it continues to listen and reform through 2024.”

The Department for Education said it would give “careful consideration” to the committee’s recommendations.