OFSTED and the government must respond “promptly and meaningfully” to a coroner’s conclusion that an inspection report contributed to a headteacher taking her own life, the National Education Union (NEU) said today.

Ruth Perry died after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.

Staff at the school said the headteacher was left tearful and incoherent after the inspection on November 15 and 16 last year.

Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded today that the Ofsted inspection “likely contributed” to Mrs Perry’s death.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “There must be significant change.

“We expect statements from government and Ofsted that respond promptly and meaningfully to the coroner’s verdict and that are adequate to the seriousness of the moment.”

Mrs Perry’s sister, Julia Walters, said the inquest had shown the “brutal inhumanity” of Ofsted inspections.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers union, said Ofsted had “no choice” but to “seriously reflect and make changes.”

Patrick Roach, general secretary of teachers’ union NASUWT said the inquest “underlined the pressing need for reform”. 

The ‘one word' grading system, “which has had such a damaging impact on the health and welfare of school leaders, teachers and support staff”, must be reconsidered by the education minister, Mr Roach said.