COPS have been called to a school after its head said she would refuse entry to Ofsted in protest.

Flora Cooper was making a stand following the death of fellow head teacher Ruth Perry, who killed herself after an "inadequate" report.

Ruth, 53, had been the head at Caversham Primary School in Reading since 2010 but committed suicide in January.

Ms Cooper, executive head of the John Rankin Schools in Newbury, Berks, last night tweeted that inspectors had called to say they were coming today but she had “refused entry”.

She pleaded with her community to join her in at the gates this morning in protest.

However, a school spokesman approached the crowds at around 9.30am and said today's Ofsted inspection would go ahead – and John Rankin Schools would "fully engage".

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The local council had earlier said that the inspection would go ahead following "discussions between parties".

Despite that, a sombre group gathered outside the school before 9am, some with signs in hand reading "RIP Ruth Perry".

About 30 people lined the gates and bowed their heads for a moments silence.

A police car was also parked up at the school gates, with officers seen patrolling.

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Thames Valley Police was approached for comment.

Two former teachers, Ellen and Liz, stood outside the school in memory of Ruth this morning.

Liz, who was once mentored by Ruth, said: "There is not a day where I don't think about Ruth and the loss not only obviously to her family but the entire teaching community.

"She didn't just care and dedicate herself to her school and her pupils, she was also a huge support for schools in the Reading area and beyond.

"She was absolutely brilliant and the pressure and the stress that she was under was immense."

Ellen added: "You hear the little stories coming out about what Ruth did when she went above and beyond.

"She just did so much more than be a headteacher."

Last night Ms Cooper posted on Twitter, calling for the community to join her in protest against Ofsted as she was "doing this for for our school staff everywhere".

She wrote: “We have to do this! I’m taking the stand!”

Despite Ms Cooper's call for action, a spokesperson for West Berkshire Council this morning said: "An Ofsted inspection at John Rankin School will now go ahead today following discussions between the parties involved yesterday afternoon.

"We understand that the inspection process can be a busy and stressful time for teachers, governors and school staff.

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"As a council, we work closely with all of our schools to support them through the inspection process and address any individual concerns."

A school spokesperson made his way to the gates around 9.30am, saying John Rankin Schools would "fully engage" with inspectors today.

He said: "There's no further comment at this time."

Ruth's sister, Julia Waters, said her beloved sibling had been devastated by the inspection in November.

Ofsted found her school to be good in every category apart from leadership and management, where it was deemed inadequate.

Julia said it destroyed 32 years of her sister’s vocation.

She added: “It preyed on her mind until she couldn’t take it any more.”

Julia believes that some of the Ofsted inspectors' conclusions were "sensationalist" and "drawn from scant evidence", such as gaps in record-keeping and typical childish behaviour.

She explained: "In our opinion, the findings of Ofsted were disproportionate, unfair and, as has tragically been proven, deeply harmful in their (implied) focus on one individual."

Not long after Ruth's death, her family explained that she was left a “shadow of her former self” as a result of the inspection by the school’s watchdog – and she had called it the “worst day of my life”.

They are also said to reject Ofsted's judgment of Ruth's leadership.

An inquest into the headteacher's death will take place at Berkshire Coroner's Court later this year.

A petition calling for an inquiry into the inspection has 39,000-plus signatures.

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Ofsted’s Matthew Purves said last night: “We were deeply saddened by Ruth Perry's tragic death.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

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