Primary school headteacher suffers suspected heart attack as stunned pupils watch her taken away by ambulance during Ofsted inspection

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Sarah McFarlane, headteacher of Chapelhill Primary School in Moreton, Wirral, collapsed on the second morning of an Ofsted inspection and was rushed to hospital by ambulance, with distressed pupils watching her leave. The school, part of the Leading Learners Trust, told parents she is receiving care and that early signs are positive. Ofsted said it immediately paused the inspection upon hearing the news.

The inspection had already run for a full day before McFarlane fell ill at the start of Wednesday morning's second session.

Trust leaders Yvonne Brown and Sam Quigley said staff have done 'all they can to reassure' pupils who witnessed her being taken away.

Ofsted said: 'Our thoughts are with Mrs McFarlane and the school community — we wish her a speedy recovery.'