School complaints about bullying Ofsted inspectors soar to ‘ridiculous’ levels in England

Education consultants say headteachers approaching in record numbers, after inspection ruled a factor in Ruth Perry's suicide

The number of schools in England filing complaints to Ofsted about bullying inspectors has risen to ridiculous" levels, education leaders warned this weekend.

Delivering her verdict on Thursday, coroner Heidi Connor concluded that a rude and intimidating" Ofsted inspection was a contributory factor in the suicide of Reading headteacher Ruth Perry in January this year. In 2022-23, a total of 747 schools made formal complaints about Ofsted inspections, up from 454 the previous year, Ofsted's annual report says.