ISC Daily News Summary

An inquest has found that Ofsted's inspection process directly contributed to headteacher Ruth Perry taking her own life. A coroner found the “rude and intimidating” inspection, which took place in November 2022, “likely had an effect on Ruth’s ability to deal fully with the inspection process”. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

Amanda Spielman has apologised on behalf of Ofsted to the family and friends of Ruth Perry for the distress its inspection caused to her. In a statement issued following the conclusion of the inquest into Mrs Perry’s death, the inspectorate's chief inspector said: “On behalf of Ofsted, I would like to say sorry to them for the distress that Mrs Perry undoubtedly experienced as a result of our inspection.” By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

Schools Week reports that Ofsted's reforms also include a new complaints phoneline for schools to report any concerns about their inspection to a senior Ofsted official, starting next week. By Freddie Whittaker.

Headteachers' leaders have said the inquest's finding “must be a catalyst for change” to inspection. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said change was needed to ”ensure a tragedy like this never happens again”. By Cerys Turner, Tes.

Under a planned reform of NHS rules, children will only be referred to transgender clinics if their parents agree. Under the new plans, outlined in a public consultation document published last night, children will only be referred to one of the new gender services if they, their parents and a specialist agree that it is in the best interests of the child, in two distinct reviews. By Michael Searles, The Telegraph.

Estelle Morris, a former education secretary under Tony Blair, has backed Kemi Badenoch on trans rights by saying children should not be encouraged to change gender. Speaking in a debate in the House of Lords, Ms Morris said pupils should be taught in biology lessons that there are only two sexes and warned that “psychological damage” could be caused to children if teachers allowed them to “socially transition”. By Daniel Martin, The Telegraph.

Children as young as 11 are being reported to Prevent, including hundreds under the age of 14, a Home Office report has shown. In the year to March, new figures show 6,817 referrals were made to the government's anti-terror programme, an increase of six per cent on the previous year when 6,406 were recorded. By Eirian Jane Prosser, Daily Mail. 

The UK's leading terror expert has warned that social media is behind the rise in referrals to Prevent. Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, told iNews the steep rise in referrals through the education sector and the “strange” types of extremism flagged reflected the increasing problem of online radicalisation. By Poppy Wood.