Headteacher of Newbury's John Rankin Schools calls for people to join her tomorrow as she refuses to allow Ofsted inspectors in following the death of Caversham headteacher Ruth Perry

A Newbury headteacher has said she will refuse to allow Ofsted into her school, following the death of Caversham headteacher Ruth Perry.

Flora Cooper, headteacher at John Rankin School, has posted on Twitter today (Monday) that she has just received a call from the education inspectors to say they will visit tomorrow.

But she has told them she will not allow them to enter the premises, and added that she was doing it “for Ruth”.

Ruth Perry’s family have said that the headteacher took her own life in January after being told that her school – Caversham Primary, in Reading – would be downgraded from outstanding to inadequate by Ofsted.

In a series of Tweets this morning, Ms Cooper has said she is “doing this for everyone for our school staff everywhere!”

She is calling on people to join her at the school at 8am tomorrow and has so far received support from across the globe.

It is thought to be the first time that a headteacher has refused to let Ofsted into their school.

Supporters have said they will be joining her tomorrow from as far afield as Bristol, with messages of solidarity from Australia too.

Her Tweets are being viewed by thousands of people this morning.

Over the weekend, Ms Cooper had posted about wanting change of the education system

“We have to change this system – for our children, our staff and our leaders,” she wrote. “It should never have come to this. Education has become about competition, not about improving the outcomes of children everywhere. No more.”

A spokesperson for West Berkshire Council, the local education authority, said: "“Earlier today a headteacher announced her intention to refuse access to Ofsted inspectors tomorrow. We were not aware this was going to happen and we are now in conversation with relevant partners to find a way to resolve these issues.

"These discussions continue and we will provide a further update as soon as we can.

“We understand that the inspection process can be a busy and stressful time for teachers, governors and school staff. As a council, we work closely with all of our schools to support them through the inspection process and address any individual concerns.”