Principal killed himself after hearing Offstead was downgrading elementary school, family says

The principal committed suicide while awaiting the publication of a negative Offstead report on her school, her family said.

Ruth Perry, principal of Reading’s Caversham Elementary School since 2010, took her own life in January this year after being told her school would be downgraded from excellent to unsatisfactory.

Her devastated family said tests left the 53-year-old a “shadow of her former self,” which she described as “the worst day of my life.”

The inspector decided to downgrade after the first day of two days of testing, and allegedly made baseless allegations about the child’s sexual objectification at school.

Perry took his own life on January 8th of this year. The report was released just two months ago. Condolences from family, friends, colleagues and the school community.

Ms Perry had been principal of Caversham Primary School (pictured) for over ten years when Ofsted decided to downgrade the principal from Outstanding to Inadequate.

Her younger sister, Julia, claimed the visit on November 15 and 16 last year devastated Perry, saying she had “the worst day of her life” and the experience was “horrifying.” told her

She told BBC South:

Ms Perry claimed that an Obstead inspector told senior staff and leaders at the school that she saw the boy “flossing.”

Inspectors are also said to have told staff that they saw abuse between children.

The examination was the first primary education in 13 years after the rule excluding good schools from further scrutiny by Offstead was abolished.

A report released this week found that the school did well in all categories, with the exception of leadership and management, which were judged inadequate.

The report criticized the school’s poor record-keeping, gaps in employment checks, and the potential for children to be endangered. Rating fell.

The inspector noted that “most students behave wisely and live up to the high expectations of staff” and that “students know who to turn to when they have concerns or problems and are available for help when they need it.” The relationship between staff and students is warm and supportive, and incidents of bullying are rare.

However, they added: When students are in danger they are not taking prompt and appropriate action. They do not ensure that protection is effective across schools.

The report states: However, they certainly do not fulfill their statutory protective responsibilities. Until the inspection, they were unaware of the serious weakness in the school’s arrangements for ensuring student safety.

It added that the school did not have a “robust process” to deal with the continued absence of some students, and that instructors had “insufficient understanding to safeguard requirements and procedures.”

Perry’s sister Julia (pictured) told BBC South that the offstead test left the principal with “a shadow of his former self”.

Julia says her sister (pictured with her) was a ‘big loss’ and ‘had a lot to give’

Ofsted inspector says Caversham Primary School has poor leadership and management

Perry’s sister said there was a sense of “complete injustice” about the process behind the testing and reporting.

She told BBC South: I distinctly remember one day she said, “52 days and counting.”

“Every day she carried a burden on her shoulders and was not officially allowed to speak to her family. I remember that she was a complete shadow of her former self.

“This one word judgment will only ruin her 32 years of career. Teaching has been her vocation. Thirty-two years in one word is not enough. Until she can’t stand it anymore, it will ate her heart.

“She was a big loss. She was my sister and she was only 53. She still had a lot to give and a lot she could do.”

Matt Roda, Labor MP for Reading East, where the school is located, said:

Reading East Labor MP Matt Rodda said he had raised the issue with Offstead’s regional chief.

“It is fair to say that there are local concerns about the way inspections have been conducted, and how effectively the Ofsted framework and other regulations affecting Ofsted work, and the wider pressure on principals. and.

In a statement to BBC South, Obstead said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Ruth Perry. Our thoughts are with Mrs Perry’s family, friends and everyone in the Caversham Primary School community. .”

Ms Perry was a student at the school before returning as Vice Principal in 2006 and being promoted to Principal in 2010.

In a statement released after her death, her family said:

“She leaves a huge, painful gap in all of our lives, and in the lives of many others who were fortunate enough to know her.

“We are grateful to all our friends who have been thinking and supporting us through the difficult years now and in the years to come. She will be remembered as a person and for all she achieved in life.

“Also, to those who didn’t know Ruth, in accepting our immense grief, respect our privacy and how their words and actions affect others. Please consider it carefully.”

“As the many tributes to her from the wider school and Caversham community attest, Ruth cared deeply not only for her academic performance, but also for the general well-being and well-being of the students and staff she taught and mentored. I was handing it out.

Caversham Elementary School was a very happy school under Ruth’s leadership.The role of principal always comes with many challenges, but Ruth was also happy there.

“Ruth was a dedicated headmaster and an excellent teacher. She loved the students and staff at Caversham Elementary School and was proud to have served as headmaster for twelve years and previously served as deputy headmaster for four years. .

“Ruth has been a force for good in her life and we hope that she will continue to be a force for positive change after her death.

“I want anyone affected by her death to talk about their feelings and know that help is available. Local and national helplines, advice and support are available at: Read Family Information Service website. ‘

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