Handing a peerage to former Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman would be “inappropriate and insensitive”, a group of school leaders has said. Spielman led Ofsted from 2017 to 2023 and was the architect of its current inspection framework in 2019. She was chief inspector when Ruth Perry, the headteacher of a school in Reading, died in 2023. A coroner ruled later that year an Ofsted inspection had contributed to her suicide. It was reported over the weekend that Spielman is set to join the House of Lords following a nomination from the Conservatives. In a letter published on Monday, the Headteachers鈥 Roundtable and said Spielman should not receive a peerage. Ruth Perry They accused her of being 鈥渞esponsible for creating, introducing and implementing a flawed inspection framework鈥, which led to “unacceptably high levels of anxiety and stress”. The coroner who presided over Perry’s inquest said the Ofsted inspection at Caversham Primary School “was at times rude and intimidating”, and parts were carried out in a way that “lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity”. A damning review by Dame Christine Gilbert later criticised Ofsted鈥檚 response to Perry鈥檚 death as being 鈥渄efensive and complacent鈥, while Spielman herself came under fire for staunchly defending the watchdog. Ofsted was warned of ‘unacceptable’ pressure The headteachers鈥 letter says that during Spielman鈥檚 tenure as Ofsted leader, 鈥渁n alarming and increasing number of headteachers, principals, trustees, governors and other senior staff voiced their deep concern” at the way inspections were conducted and how frequently their criticisms were “rebuffed”. The letter says that before Perry鈥檚 death in 2023 Headrest, a group set up to offer support to school leaders, wrote multiple times to Ofsted regarding 鈥渦nacceptable鈥 pressure the inspection framework placed on schools. But it says Ofsted 鈥渙n no occasion鈥 indicated it was willing to 鈥渕eaningfully address the stress and strain it was causing鈥. The letter, addressed to Baroness Deech, chair of the House of Lords appointments commission and senior politicians including the prime minister and education secretary, added that under Spielman鈥檚 leadership Ofsted 鈥渓ost the trust of many involved in education鈥. 鈥淲e thus believe the awarding of a peerage to Amanda Spielman would be inappropriate and insensitive.鈥 Spielman praised by Michael Gove Ruth Perry’s sister Professor Julia Waters called the decision 鈥渁 disgrace and an insult to my sister鈥檚 memory鈥. Julia Waters She said Spielman鈥檚 legacy 鈥渋s indelibly associated with my sister’s terrible, preventable death and with defending the inhumane system that led to her death鈥. 鈥淪he showed poor leadership and judgment, a lack of empathy and understanding of the issues, and a tendency to deflect any criticism onto others,鈥 said Waters. 鈥淎 record like that should not be rewarded with a place in the House of Lords.鈥 Andrew Morrish, former headteacher and co-founder of Headrest, described the decision on X as “obscene”. Ex-education secretary defends Spielman Michael Gove Among those defending the move was former Conservative education secretary Michael Gove, who hailed her peerage as 鈥済reat news鈥. He described Spielman on X as 鈥渁n outstanding public servant who has fought for higher standards in education and was unfairly attacked by teaching union figures for her commitment to professionalism鈥. Michael Gosling, founding CEO of Trinity multi-academy trust, said on X he believes 鈥渟omeone who led Ofsted for six years 鈥 including during a pandemic – and made such a contribution to driving up educational standards, should be recognised for it鈥. Spielman declined to comment when approached by Schools Week.
Frank Solarz 31 March 2025 I was uncertain as to whether Spielman should go to the Lords; until Gove supported her promotion. Now I am certain she should not go to the Lords!
Trevor Hopkins 4 April 2025 Absolutely appalled at this decision. She should never have been placed as the head of Ofsted. This was proved by her actions, decisions and words on multiple occasions throughout her tenure. The decision to elect her as a Peer once again proves that sadly, money talks more than suitability in these “honours”.