North West primary school headteacher rushed to hospital during Ofsted inspection

Pupils watched on as the headteacher of the primary school in the North West was taken off in an ambulance

A headteacher of a North West primary school was rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack during an Ofsted inspection.

Sarah McFarlane, who leads Chapelhill Primary School in Moreton, Wirral, became unwell on Wednesday morning (September 16). The medical emergency happened on the second day of an Ofsted inspection at the school.

Worried pupils watched on as she was taken off in an ambulance. Following the headteacher falling ill, the inspection by the education regulator was suspended, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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The school, which forms part of the Leading Learners Trust, released a statement to parents and children regarding the incident. Trust leaders confirmed that Ms McFarlane was making good progress in hospital.

The message, issued by trust leaders Yvonne Brown and Sam Quigley, said: “We just wanted to write to you all to update you on our brilliant headteacher, Mrs McFarlane, and the Ofsted inspection. As many of you have already heard, Mrs McFarlane was taken ill at the start of the second morning of the inspection.

“She left the school in an ambulance, and is now being treated in a local hospital for a suspected heart attack. We have passed on the significant number of good wishes we have received for Mrs McFarlane. She is receiving lots of care and, from our early understanding, things are looking positive.”

The message said that several pupils witnessed Ms McFarlane departing the premises by ambulance. School leaders stated they had been doing ‘all they can to reassure them throughout the day’. The message went on: “However, we are conscious that there might be questions at home tonight – which is why we wanted to let you as much as we are able at this stage.”

The announcement went on to say: “The Ofsted inspection has also been paused. Whilst it was understandably challenging, the comments from parents and the children were both uplifting and heartening.”

It concluded: “We will keep you updated, and your thoughts and well wishes are hugely appreciated.”

An Ofsted representative commented: “Our thoughts are with Mrs McFarlane and the school community. We wish Mrs McFarlane a speedy recovery.”

They added: “We began an inspection of Chapelhill primary school yesterday. Upon hearing the news this morning, we immediately paused the inspection.”