Waters has joined calls for the UK Government to delay the proposed Ofsted reforms, emphasizing the need for a supportive inspection system rather than one that perpetuates stress and pressure on educators.

Waters has expressed concerns that the new grading system being introduced by Ofsted does not adequately address the recommendations made by a coroner or the Education Select Committee following Perry's death.

Ruth Perry, the headteacher of Caversham Primary School, tragically took her own life in January 2023 after her school received a low effectiveness rating from Ofsted, which was linked to safeguarding issues.

In the wake of Perry's death, her sister, Professor Julia Waters, has been vocal in criticizing the current inspection system, arguing that it fosters a culture of competition and shame rather than support for educators.

At a recent National Education Union (NEU) conference, a motion was passed advocating for a fair school improvement system that avoids ranking and shaming, highlighting the negative impacts of Ofsted.

A survey of over 12,000 NEU teacher members revealed that 57% believe school inspections negatively impact their mental health, underscoring the need for reform.

Ofsted is set to introduce a new report card system that grades schools across multiple areas using a color-coded scale, moving away from the previous single-word judgments.

In an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Waters and other school leaders expressed concerns that the proposed changes could exacerbate stress among education professionals.

The Department for Education defends these reforms, asserting that they are crucial for improving school standards and providing better information to parents.

During an interview, Waters emphasized the importance of taking the coroner's warnings seriously and urged the government not to make empty promises regarding the inspection system.

Last year, the Government announced the scrapping of headline Ofsted grades and initiated a consultation for the new report card grading system, which aims to evaluate schools more comprehensively.

Waters criticized the proposed grading system for maintaining a grade-based approach that continues to promote shame and competition, rather than fostering a supportive environment for educators.