The sister of a headteacher who took her own life after a school inspection has branded reports that Ofsted’s then chief inspector could receive a seat in the House of Lords “an insult”.
Amanda Spielman oversaw Ofsted when Ruth Perry died in 2023 after a report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.
An inquest into the headteacher’s death found the inspection had contributed to her death.
An independent review into how Ofsted handled Ms Perry’s death found in 2024 it was “defensive and complacent”.
Ms Spielman, who served as the chief inspector of the schools watchdog between 2017 and 2023, is reported to have been nominated for a peerage by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Professor Julia Waters, Ms Perry’s sister, said Ms Spielman’s “legacy is indelibly associated with my sister’s terrible, preventable death and with defending the inhumane system that led to her death”.
Prof Waters added: “Through her response to Ruth’s death and the subsequent inquest and inquiries while head of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman showed herself to be lacking in many of the qualities that you would hope would be needed in parliament.
“She showed poor leadership and judgement, a lack of empathy and understanding of the issues, and a tendency to deflect any criticism onto others.
“A record like that should not be rewarded with a place in the House of Lords. Spielman’s nomination for a peerage is a disgrace and an insult to my sister’s memory.”
Earlier this month, Ms Spielman publicly criticised education secretary Bridget Phillipson and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
The former Ofsted chief said the bill was likely to make education in England worse, and accused Ms Phillipson of being “influenced” by the schools’ unions.
Ms Spielman was rebuked by a government source, who claimed she should “spend less time criticising the reforms this government is bringing, and more time reflecting on her failure at Ofsted”.
A Conservative Party spokesperson would not comment on reports of Ms Spielman’s nomination for a peerage.
They said: “It would be unfair to comment on whether specific individuals have or have not been nominated or vetted for any honour or dignity.
“We do not comment on speculation or purported leaks.”
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