Ofsted defensive and complacent after Ruth Perry’s death – review

Dame Christine’s recommendations include staff training for Ofsted’s top officials and board members to improve communications to staff and schools, in crisis situations, and for Ofsted’s board to promote an improved culture of openness.

She also said new training, for inspectors to spot when school staff are distressed or anxious, should be expanded, and “very specifically designed to reflect the unique power dynamic of inspection”.

Ofsted said it would build on inspectors’ mental health awareness with a new Ofsted Academy.

Ofsted published research on Tuesday suggesting strong support for school inspections from parents, many of whom use them to inform decisions about their children’s education – but there was mixed support for single-word judgements.

Sir Martyn said Ofsted had done “much great work”, but that his consultation had uncovered “much criticism”.

“We are committed to reducing unnecessary pressure on the professionals we work with. But we also must continue to be honest about the state of the systems we inspect and call out poor practice, and unacceptably low standards for children and learners, without fear or favour,” he said.

“This is the balance we must, and will, strike.

“Now it is time to act.”