Former chief inspector Dame Christine Gilbert is set to be appointed as the new chair of Ofsted, Schools Week understands.

Gilbert, who served as chief inspector of Ofsted between 2006 and 2011, last year led the independent review into the watchdog’s response to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.

Her damning report, published in September, found Ofsted’s response to Perry’s suicide was “defensive and complacent”.

Gilbert made a string of recommendations for Ofsted. The watchdog is currently carrying out a widespread overhaul of the way it carries out inspections.

Gilbert called for Ofsted board to be ‘strengthened’

Gilbert found the Ofsted board “had little or no involvement in determining the strategy for dealing with the crisis and communicating to the media and stakeholders”. 

The board’s role “appears curiously limited, apparently leaving some of Ofsted’s most critical activities outside of its control”.

“This degree of autonomy and entitlement for HMCI does not make for effective governance.”

Gilbert said Ofsted should review its governance framework to “strengthen the role of the board with the aim of establishing constructive challenge to support Ofsted in its learning and reform”.

Schools Week understands Gilbert’s appointment is to be formally announced by Ofsted later today.

The role was previously held by Dame Christine Ryan, who left the role at the end of March following four-and-a-half years.

Star Academies chief executive Sir Hamid Patel has since been serving as interim Ofsted chair.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.