Walk pays tribute to Caversham head

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

RESIDENTS in Reading showed solidarity with educators and paid their respects to Ruth Perry with a walk in her memory on Saturday, April 8.

Ms Perry was the head teacher at Caversham Primary School, Reading, for 13 years, but was found dead in January.

Her family said that she had taken her own life just weeks after an Ofsted inspection, and just days before the school was expected to drop from an “outstanding” rating down to an “inadequate” rating.

More than 100 people gathered close to Caversham Primary School before walking to Christchurch Meadows, where a number of contributors gave spoken tributes to Ruth.

Organiser James Denny said at the event: “Whilst I didn’t know Ruth personally, I’m familiar with her legacy, and I know how much this means.

“This is about all of you and your chance to say thank you to Ruth, and to stand in solidarity.”

Attendees took part in a minute’s silence, and then two young pupils at the school were invited to speak.

Each thanked her for her work, with one saying: “She was the best teacher we ever had,” and another saying: “She taught us a lot.”

A former pupil also gave a tribute, thanking her “for making the school safe and secure,” explaining “we trust our educators, as we did with Ms Perry – she was fantastic.

“I thank her for everything she did for me, and for making the school experience enjoyable.”

Mr Denny then gave a reading of a short prose poem by Michael Rosen, examining how a focus on data can warp the assessment of learning objectives in schools.

It had been tweeted by Rosen in early 2018.

It was followed by a poem from Nikki Alling, which Mr Denny read outside of Ofsted as part of previous protests.

While the walk itself was in memory of Ruth only, without any protest, Ms Perry’s death has called Ofsted inspection practises into question, with politicians, parents, and school staff across the country raising concerns.

Ms Perry was described in a joint statement by the council and Brighter Futures for Children as a “hugely respected, experienced and a wellestablished figure at Caversham Primary.”