Union calls for Ofsted school inspections to be suspended until recommendations made after the suicide of a head teacher are acted on have been dismissed as “rubbish” by a Kent education expert.

Simon Webb, a former Principal Primary Advisor for Kent schools, said the system as it stands "works" and the key to success at any school is the quality of leaders and teachers.

Coroner Heidi Connor ruled an inspection by the education watchdog had contributed to Ruth Perry’s death.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) have called for Ofsted visits to be stopped until the coroner's concerns are addressed.

The coroner raised red flags about how the impact the current system has on school leaders and the “almost complete absence of Ofsted training” for inspectors to spot signs of distress.

Her report said: “There is very little training by Ofsted, and no written policy, regarding management of school leader anxiety during inspections.”

NAHT and ASCL said the decision by Ofsted to suspend inspections for a day on December 18 to bring lead inspectors together was insufficient.

Mrs Perry, 53, killed herself in January, while waiting for an Ofsted report to be published which was to downgrade her school's “outstanding” rating to the lowest of “inadequate” over Ofsted’s concerns about safeguarding.

The head of Caversham Primary School in Berkshire was unable to disclose the Ofsted result for eight weeks, during which her mental health declined.

Mr Webb said: “I cannot speak about Mrs Perry’s death because I don’t know the full details of the case, tragic though it was.

“Ofsted works - calling to suspend inspections is rubbish, a total nonsense.

“What other profession gets a handbook with a step-by-step instruction guide to how to be a good school?

“Ofsted works. It is a very good indicator of where schools are. For instance, these days much more emphasis is put on what is in the children’s notebooks.

“That is a very good indicator of the quality of learning which is an indicator of the quality of the teaching and an indicator of the leadership. That’s the crux of it.

“Some schools are run for the teachers and those schools will nearly always fail.”

Mr Webb’s last job before retirement was as the executive head of five failing schools in Essex which he turned around.

The unions have written to Education Secretary Gillian Keegan calling for an “immediate pause” on inspections to give time for proper consideration of the issues raised in the Connor report.

Mrs Perry’s suicide has also highlighted repeated concerns about Ofsted’s method of short labels for a school’s status, such as “good” or “inadequate”.

Critics say that reports are often more nuanced than the grade suggests.

Geoff Barton, ASCL general secretary, said the suspension is “necessary for schools and colleges to have even a modicum of confidence in the inspectorate”.

A joint union statement said: “It is important we have clarity from Ofsted about a plan and timetable to address each area before further inspections take place.

“This is vital in reassuring schools and colleges that appropriate steps are being taken to protect and support the welfare of education staff.”

Ofsted conceded inspections could be deferred until the new year if they were due to be held this week.

A statement said: “We are immediately introducing a number of measures …and we are developing new training for all inspectors, to include external experts, that will take place in early January.

“These measures address several areas of concern set out by the coroner. When we receive the coroner’s report we will urgently address all remaining issues.”

Dr Lauren Sullivan, leader of Kent County Council’s Labour group who also sits on the education committee, said: “Ofsted and the government need to urgently reflect on and implement the coroner's findings so the changes can be delivered.

“The current Ofsted inspection approach can be incredibly stressful for teachers which can make the teaching environment for children and young people strained.

“Teacher retention is a big issue for the country with many talented teachers burned out and stressed due to the current Ofsted process and the increasing workload, with teachers working regularly over 48 hours a week, and with increased safeguarding needs and concerns.”