The education secretary has said the government will 鈥渢ake action to offer further support鈥� to school leaders following the death of Ruth Perry. The headteacher鈥檚 family say she took her own life in January before the publication of an inspection report that downgraded Caversham Primary School from 鈥榦utstanding鈥� to 鈥榠nadequate鈥�. They blame pressure from the Ofsted process for her death. Gillian Keegan today met with Perry鈥檚 family for the second time. In a statement following the meeting she said it was 鈥渋mportant that we have meaningful conversations about the wellbeing of school leaders, and we will take action to offer further support鈥�. No further details have yet been provided on what action government will take, though. Keegan also said she was working to 鈥渋mprove the accountability system鈥� including inspection, so it 鈥渃ontinues to raise standards while commanding the confidence of school leaders鈥�. Ministers had already announced in April that Ofsted was 鈥渞eviewing鈥� its approach to inspecting safeguarding and giving schools more advance warning about inspections. ‘Some changes will take longer’ Today, Keegan said 鈥渟ome of the changes will be immediate, some will take longer鈥�. 鈥淪chool accountability, including inspection, has a vital role to play in our education system. For the sake of children, teachers, school leaders and parents, it’s essential we get these changes right.” Professor Julia Waters, Perry鈥檚 sister, said she was 鈥減leased that the education secretary has shown willingness to listen to the clear concerns of many people about the wellbeing of school leaders, and to consider urgent actions to reform school inspection to prioritise the wellbeing of teachers and school leaders, as well as of pupils and parents鈥�. are available 365 days a year. You can reach them on free call number 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit to find your nearest branch. Charity runs a confidential helpline for education staff and teachers 鈥� call 08000 562 561.