A headteacher killed herself while waiting for an Ofsted report which gave her school the lowest possible rating, her family said.
Ms Waters went on: ‘Ruth took her own life on January 8, all during that process every time I spoke to her, she would talk about the countdown. She said the inspection destroyed 32 years of her vocation and ‘preyed on her mind until she couldn’t take it any more’.The report, which was published this week, found the school to be Good in every category, apart from leadership and management, where it was judged to be Inadequate, the lowest rating.
‘Following the heart-breaking loss of Ruth, we have continued her work to ensure that the school is an effective, safe and happy place for children to learn and achieve.’Or you can email jo@samaritans.org for support
Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)
Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 The whole system is broken. It’s the same in Wales with Estyn inspections. They don’t care about teachers or children. No support just constant judgement by people who haven’t taught for years! 😡
They let headteachers become ofsted inspectors alongside their head role. I unfortunately came across one of these heads with a dual job, she was honestly the worst example of a head I have ever come across. The lies she told were incredible, she had staff scared to speak out 1)
They dream! Hear that her sister is the dead, n that she is not her sister to start with. She just falsely claimed to be, identity theft. Have heard of it too! Nasty souls - big lies! Never they will rest in peace ...
This is just heartbreaking. No one ever should be made to feel this way. She dedicated her life to teaching, was clearly exceptionally passionate about it. So much that when stupid ofsted came and saw a tiny insult of two days she takes her life. Shame one this system. Disgusting
So sad 😭
So very sad…R.I.P…🙏🏻
I don’t even get the sexualised dancing comment? Why is a child doing ‘the floss’ mean children are being sexualised at that school?
Shocking this poor headteacher felt forced to end her life due to such pressure. 😔
This is incredibly sad, my heart goes out to her family. Ofsted is such a subjective process depending on which inspector you receive. Having been through a couple of Inspections in my time in education it really is such a stressful experience, you’re made to jump to their tune.
Ofsted are not unqualified their ex teachers most of them,although I don’t agree with the way they work
Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 my heart goes out to this lady her family and friends 💔
How incredibly sad. The education system needs a huge overall. Poor teachers are expected to jump through increasing numbers of hoops to justify the government funding and so called standards and the poor kids are set up to fail from the outset with no skills to cope with life!
Ofsted's absolutely callous response.
So sad when we know how hard our educators are working. No one should feel like this over a job BeKind
💔heartbreaking that someone was made to feel this way. 💔
And the good schools tie banners to their railings to tell all passers by that this school is successful with no mention that it was the teachers themselves who stayed behind completing their students coursework because they are so terrified of slipping down the Ofsted tables.
How sad...😢😢😢🙏
Simply heartbreaking 😢
My thoughts are with the family at this sad time. This highlights the importance of mental health care in the workplace. No job is worth someone’s life. Ofsted need to overhaul their processes.
My doctor referred to it as PTOD schools should be accountable but why not make it coursework experience rather than brutal end of year exam
Kids should be allowed to do what they do and adults should remember that they were children once. Sexualisation of kids through a video game dance move ? I could say a lot more about what kids do outside of dance moves 😂
Obviously can’t take criticism
They need to look at an education system that barely teaches children anything but puts this much pressure on our teachers. It's all about good Ofsted reports instead of happy well balanced and well educated kids.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I have experience of a School inspection that resulted in a report which was unfair,by an inspector called The Axe man. I was a Governor at the time,finance and safeguarding. It was traumatic. I’m sad this lady has died.
the inspectors need to be held to account, name and shame them! having said that I presume her fear would have been the harsh judgments and unkind words from the press and the parents that ‘know best’ after report publication, so sad, it’s awful, rest in peace lovely x
Hmmmmm...
If dreading something in the workplace then time's up. Get out and re-evaluate. Ya finish work at the day end of, not finish, go home & worry. Absolutely disgusting and Ofsted need to review their own inadequate practices maybe
This is so sad, Ofsted are failing teachers and pupils when dedicated teachers take their lives whilst others with deep routed institutional issues that know how to ‘play the game’ are graded ‘outstanding’
Ofstednews we're all watching how you respond to this. mrjamesob and/or ShelaghFogarty will be on the case on Monday. A big rethink is needed.
The school must have been terrible.
Praying for the family.
Ofsted inspectors have to shoulder some responsibility for this terrible tragedy. A life cut short because of overwhelming pressure applied by the whole structure of ofsted ratings.
Total sadness and heartbreak xxx
Poor woman, stress must of been too much for her, no job is worth taking your life for, r.i.p. sending love and hugs to her family
Ofsted inspector that recently visited our local school were a disgrace. Needs an overhaul
Oh my god 🥹
There are some inspectors, in Ofsted, CQC, Prisons and Probation, who are absolute zealots, petty minded, tick box jockeys, who don't give a damn about the tragic fall-out resulting from their criticism.
Comments on inspectors themselves or mental well being of poor Ruth or a job shouldn't do this are missing the point - it's high stakes of Ofsted grade & scrutiny after the grade BUT also educators take their role so personally we put everything in- not just a job - we invest!
This has made me so so so sad. We really need to fix things.
There is something seriously wrong with the current system of inspection. My wife is a retired teacher and I can recall the stress my wife endured despite always receiving good reports. Would other professionals accept being watched, criticized and hounded by unqualified people.
Very sad RIP to her 🙏
Heartbreaking
Ofsted can be fucking brutal. Depends who you get. This is so, so sad.
So sad that the pressure of a job can drive a person to this. Sickening.
Shameful how intimidation by Ofsted inspectors can lead to this. Having recently seen some in action in a school where I do some work, I felt their approach was more human and approachable, but I suppose it depends upon the individuals within the team. Very sad!
Ofsted is well passed it’s sell by date. So many ridiculous judgements lately, vociferously challenged by the communities around schools. It seems Ofsted must downgrade for spurious reasons, for political agendas or its own survival? So sad for this family. No duty of care here.
It was really sad news. We need to support people who are in depression.
This is incredibly sad 😪
So sad. Nobody's work should drive them to the only way out. God rest her soul 😍 xxxx
Poor lady
Because staff aren't supported by the management in schools , and the standards and protocols aren't lived ! Poor lady .my thoughts to her family.
This is horrifying
Both my daughters learned under her headship and she was very compassionate and caring towards some of our struggles.We are still so shocked and upset her taking her life and the ofsted rating sounds bollocks.Not heard a single negative thing about the school in local groups.
Go woke Go broke
That’s so sad. The poor woman and her family ❤️
So very sad. I'd like to know who inspects the inspectors. 😡
My sons tutor has gone off sick after ofsted
No job is worth this much stress,how very sad for her family & friends
Such a tragedy that this lady took her life. I've come across these so called Inspectors within the HSCP environment. Some of them are patronising, self-powered pen pushers who think they have a God's right to after a visit demoralise an entire staff group. A terrible attitude.
I know 3 teachers....2 are signed off due to depression and more. It is sickening what I have heard about what happens in schools and how they are treated. teachers matter too. RIP 🙏🏽 AkuaSerwaaAmoah
So sad.
That's terrible
Blame the kids.
This is just awful. A job should not lead to people being so depressed, they do this 😔 It is truly awful
Oh this is so sad
So what? Inspection has to happen regardless of her emotional or mental state. Therapy is readily accessible within the NHS.
Christ. Work should not drive someone to this.
This was on our local news last night, a tragedy caused it seems by work pressures ? How often does this happen & you sadly can't always notice silent cries for help?
Ofstednews has blood on its hands....ONCE AGAIN! Many teachers have taken their own lives due to these facists! You know what! They don't even care! scum
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