Dorchester school among those across the country to cut references to Ofsted in tribute to Reading headteacher

By Francesca Evans

26th Mar 2023 | Local News

Gary Spracklen, headteacher of the Prince of Wales School in Dorchester
Gary Spracklen, headteacher of the Prince of Wales School in Dorchester

A school in Dorchester is among those across the country to remove references to Ofsted from websites, job adverts and letters in tribute to a headteacher who killed herself after an inspection.

The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester said it is "paying our respects" to Ruth Perry, whose family have blamed her death on "the intolerable pressure" of an Ousted inspection, downgrading her primary school in Reading to inadequate.

It has led to nationwide calls for reform to the school inspection system, although the government has said that Ousted is "crucial" to maintain standards.

The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester has removed the Ofsted logo from school communications, such as from the bottom of letters.

Headteacher Gary Spracklen told the BBC: "Ultimately I recognise that Ofsted have a duty to inspect school but what I also recognise is that it is not my role to promote that rating through my everyday communications.

"I am no longer willing to give Ofsted any more airtime. If Ofsted come to us tomorrow, for example, and gave my school a good report, I am not going to go stick any banners outside.

"We don't have to make Ofsted something bigger than it is by talking about them all the time. My Ofsted rating does not define me or my school."

     

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