Nursery World - Ofsted puts school inspections on hold for mental health training for inspectors, but early years inspections will continue

The new chief inspector of Ofsted has halted routine Ofsted inspections in schools until later in January to allow all inspectors to attend mental health training – however in a move criticised by the sector, early years inspections will continue.

Sir Martyn Oliver PHOTO Ofsted

Sir Martyn Oliver takes up the role on Tuesday (2 January) and has pledged to launch an inquiry into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.

Last month, a coroner ruled that the inspection of Perry’s school had contributed to her death.

The coroner issued a 'prevention of future deaths notice’ with actions for the body to address urgently.

Following this, teaching unions called for all inspections to be suspended in the interim.

Sir Martyn said on Tuesday that routine school inspections in the spring term will begin later this month to allow mental health awareness training for inspectors in the first week of term.

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