Strange case of the missing teacher and an inspector who was due to call

Build-up to Ofsted visit could have left her 'emotionally and physically vulnerable', says letter seen by 'IoS'

Sarah Flooks, an ordinary woman who for nearly 30 years taught in primary schools across London, left home early on 2 March. She knew she was facing a tough day at work - her school, Monega Primary, in Manor Park, east London, was expecting a visit by inspectors from Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education).

But Ms Flooks, 50, never reached the school, and has not been seen since. Four weeks later, her partner has blamed her disappearance on the stress caused by the looming inspection.

John Mouzouros said yesterday that he believed the pressure created by Ofsted visits had triggered a "mental breakdown".

"The only explanation which seems to add up is that she had some kind of mental aberration or chemical imbalance brought on by the stress of her upcoming Ofsted inspection."

Sitting at a kitchen table strewn with handwritten messages of support and grainy "Missing" posters, Mr Mouzouros, 54, said that the pressure at schools had intensified since changes in Ofsted regulations reduced the notice teachers get before an inspection.

"She only had three or four days to prepare. She was under a lot of stress, and I think a switch in her mind was flicked," he said, adding: "Probably all she needs is some kind of medication to make her better."

"In previous years she was very wound up before the Ofsted visit and difficult to live with. I'm wondering if this year it was too much for her."

Former teaching colleagues share Mr Mouzouros's suspicions, which they have described in a letter to Ofsted seen by The Independent on Sunday.

"We do not know if she disappeared to avoid her school's Ofsted inspection, or if the build-up to and prospect of that experience left her so stressed and emotionally and physically vulnerable that someone was able to take advantage of her," says the letter, signed by three teachers who worked with Ms Flooks in her first teaching job.

"Whatever the outcome of Sarah's disappearance may be, we suspect you [Ofsted] carry some responsibility," they conclude.

Ms Flooks's brother Jeremy Flooks, 57, who lives in Plymouth, said that her family was aware that the school visit was worrying her.

"She's always been very happy in her work, but I know the Ofsted inspection is something all teachers worry about, and she's very conscientious, and it would be on her mind," he said.

Ms Flooks's sister, Sue Jones, 59, said: "Her work meant a lot to her. She didn't like the formalisation of teaching, but she complied, and tried to keep her children's days as full and rounded as she could."

Sniffer dogs and police divers have searched the ponds and woods of Wanstead Flats, as well as several nearby cemeteries, but Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones, who is leading the investigation, said his team has found no leads.

CCTV footage has failed to provide any further indication of Ms Flooks's movements, and her bank accounts have not been accessed since she vanished.

"Despite all the work we've done, we're not getting any closer to finding her. The possibilities are wide open," he said.

Details of Ms Flooks's last-known movements are still confused, and despite a televised appeal for help, no new witnesses have come forward - a fact that worries Mr Mouzouros. "She's very striking - she's 6ft tall with red hair, and she stands out in a crowd," he said.

Ms Flooks's car, a Ford Ka, was found parked near her house two days after she disappeared. A local resident told police that she saw a woman in dark clothing similar to that worn by Ms Flooks sitting in it on the morning she went missing, said Chief Inspector Jones.

A forensic inspection of the car showed no signs of any violence. "Maybe she got in the car, set out for work, pulled up - and, for whatever reason, decided to get out and leave," he said.

Police are currently exploring Ms Flooks's friends and past for any indication of where she be may be.

Mrs Jones said: "There's nothing to show my sister's alive and well, but equally there's nothing to show she's come to any harm. We're not getting answers. I don't know if she's alive or dead, but if she's alive, I'd like to know she's safe."

Anyone with information about Ms Flooks, who was wearing a three-quarter-length black coat and jeans when she disappeared, can call the police anonymously on 020 8478 1123