A TRAGIC headteacher who took her own life "couldn't take it anymore" as she waited for an Ofsted report, an inquest heard.

       Ruth Perry, 53, was left "absolutely devastated" when Caversham Primary School was downgraded from "outstanding" to "inadequate".

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       Ruth Perry had been head at Caversham Primary School since 2010

       An inquest heard today how she had been counting down the days until the report was released with a "weight on her shoulders".

       Sister Professor Julia Waters told Berkshire Coroner's Court said it was "hanging over" Ruth.

       She added: "It just preyed on her mind until she couldn't take it anymore."

       Professor Waters said the Ofsted result had been the "worst day of [Ruth's] life".

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       She said the family were in no doubt she had taken her life as "a direct result" of the pressure placed on her by the inspection.

       The inquest heard how Ruth had been a head at the school in Reading for 13 years and was a former pupil.

       Visits from Ofsted inspectors had taken place on November 15 and 16 last year, with a first draft due within 18 working days.

       Ruth died on January 8 this year with a final report still yet to be published, the court heard.

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       But during this time, the first draft noted there were failures in safeguarding within the primary school.

       This in turn led to the "leadership and management" category of the Ofsted review being judged as inadequate.

       Such a result would mean the school would likely close and become an academy, it was said.

       Alan Derry, lead inspector during Ofsted's visit to Caversham, said it was clear Ruth had found the inspectoon "challenging".

       He told the hearing: "She said to me, 'it's not looking good, is it?', and that became a bit of a repeated phrase.

       "It became important to me then to assure Ms Perry that there was still a long time left of the inspection - that we weren't forming a judgement at that time.

       "However, I didn't think she was able to carry on with the meeting and suggested she take a break - which she agreed to."

       A teacher who was in the meeting added: "Ruth was shaky, flushed, initially unable to speak coherently. She told me she needed to leave the school immediately, which made me very concerned.

       "I was struggling to find the words to comfort her. I had never seen her in this way before."

       A pre-inquest review previously heard Ruth had been in touch with a mental health crisis team on November 21 just days after the inspection.

       You're Not Alone

       EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

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       It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

       And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

       Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

       That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

       The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

       Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.

       If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

       CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123 Movember, www.uk.movember.com Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm

       Coroner Heidi Connor asked Christopher Russell, the national director for education at Ofsted, about the watchdog's "welfare" responsibilities.

       She said: "According to Ofsted's Code of Conduct, an inspector must take steps to minimise a headteacher's stress and prevent undue anxiety during an inspection. Is that correct?"

       The chief replied: "Correct. Inspectors are expected to manage an inspection so that it runs smoothly and so that you minimise the stress and anxiety of the headteacher and other members of staff in the school."

       Mr Russell also said inspectors are trained in how to reduce stress for school leaders.

       But he told the inquest Ofsted is not responsible for the "welfare of headteachers".

       Coroner Ms Connor has already made it clear Ofsted's rating does not fall "within the scope" of the inquest.

       The inquest continues.

       If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.