DVT kills teacher who ignored doctors and went to work for school inspection

Margaret Pettitt, a deputy headmistress at a primary school, had been urged by hospital doctors to rest at home after falling and injuring her leg while preparing for the inspection.

But with her school facing the threat of being labelled as failing - a ruling likely to cost the 53-year-old her job - she ignored the advice and went in for the report.

Mrs Pettitt returned to hospital the day after the inspection at the school in Newport, Isle of Wight.

But nine days later she was diagnosed with a deep-vein thrombosis or blood clot. She died a few hours later after having four heart attacks.

Last night, a union leader warned the case was an extreme example of the "culture of fear" which inspections inspired in heads.

Mick Brookes, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "This tragic case demonstrates the anxiety there is about the way Ofsted works.

"If teachers are prepared to return to work for an inspection when they are clearly unwell and risk terrible consequences, there is something wrong with the system.

"We need to end the 'naming, blaming and shaming' culture which is leaving headteachers feeling very vulnerable."

An inquest heard that Mrs Pettitt had gone into St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School on a Sunday to get things ready for the impending two-day Ofsted inspection. Staff would have had only two days' notice of the exact date of the visit.

She fell down stairs and strained ligaments in her left leg.

Mrs Pettitt was treated at the casualty unit at St Mary's Hospital, Newport, where she was was told to rest and keep her leg elevated.

However, she returned to work for the next two days as the inspection took place.

Laura Fairhurst, who was then headmistress of the 88-pupil school, said she told Mrs Pettitt to take the time off but her deputy was determined to be there.

"Had there not been an inspection, she probably wouldn't have come in," Mrs Fairhurst added. "There wouldn't have been the pressure."

The next day, Mrs Pettitt went back to St Mary's and a plaster was fitted. She then returned to her home in Shanklin to recover.

But nine days later, she suffered stomach pains and was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and DVT.

She was moved to intensive care but died the following morning. Two days after her death in December 2005, Ofsted reported that the school had made good progress.

At the hearing in Newport, coroner John Matthews entered a verdict of accidental death contributed to by neglect after hearing of delays in admitting Mrs Pettitt to hospital and giving her medication.

Her widower David, a former director of children's services on the Isle of Wight, said he would seek legal advice.