A reported plan to give former Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman a seat in the House of Lords would be “inappropriate” and “insensitive”, headteacher groups have warned.
The Headteachers’ Roundtable and school leader support service Headrest have written to the House of Lords Appointments Commission to raise concerns that Ms Spielman is set to receive a peerage after being nominated by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
The letter, which is also being sent to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and education secretary Bridget Phillipson, warns that the appointment would be inappropriate and calls for it to be scrutinised by the commission.
Ms Spielman was Ofsted chief inspector from 2017 to 2023 and was leading the inspectorate when headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life after an inspection report downgraded Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from the highest rating to the lowest over 51 concerns.
A coroner ruled that the inspection had contributed to Ms Perry’s death and warned in a report that future deaths could occur if the watchdog did not make changes.
Objection to Amanda Spielman Lords nomination
On Saturday Ms Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, said Ms Spielman’s reported nomination for a peerage was “a disgrace and an insult to my sister’s memory”.
In response to the coroner, Ms Spielman apologised on behalf of the watchdog to the family and friends of Ms Perry for the distress that the inspection caused her.
A letter published today by the Headteachers’ Roundtable and Headrest raises a number of concerns about Ms Spielman being considered for a peerage.
“During her leadership, an alarming and increasing number of headteachers, principals, trustees, governors and other senior staff voiced their deep concern at the way Ofsted inspections were conducted and how frequently their criticisms were rebuffed by the inspectorate,” the letter says.
The letter also highlights the internal review of Ofsted carried out by former Ofsted chief Dame Christine Gilbert, which found that the inspectorate’s response to criticism following Ms Perry’s death appeared “defensive”.
The groups add that they expect the House of Lords Appointments Commission to “consider how [the reported nomination] relates to Nolan Principles of Public Life 1.4 (Accountability) and 1.5 (Openness)”.
Section 1.4 sets out how holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Section 1.5 says holders of public office should act and take decisions in an “open and transparent manner”.
Ms Spielman was responsible for an inspection framework that “led to unacceptably high levels of anxiety and stress”, the letter concludes.
Former Ofsted chief criticised schools bill
Earlier this month Ms Spielman criticised Ms Phillipson and the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in .
The former Ofsted chief said the planned legislation was likely to make education in England worse, and accused Ms Phillipson of being “influenced” by the school unions.
Ms Spielman was rebuked by a government source, who claimed that she should “spend less time criticising the reforms this government is bringing, and more time reflecting on her failure at Ofsted”.
A Conservative Party spokesman would not comment on reports of Ms Spielman’s nomination for a peerage.
They said: “It would be unfair to comment on whether specific individuals have or have not been nominated or vetted for any honour or dignity.
“We do not comment on speculation or purported leaks.”
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott has praised Ms Spielman in.
She said: ”Amanda Spielman has fought for better education standards for children throughout her career. She was the one vocally arguing for schools to reopen in the pandemic, when the unions were urging further closures. I am grateful that we have people like her willing to put themselves forward for difficult roles in public life.”
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