OFSTED has come under fire after it was claimed a primary school headteacher in Reading took her own life following an 'inadequate' rating by inspectors.

Popular headteacher Ruth Perry died on January 8 this year shortly after being told her school was being downgraded from outstanding to inadequate.

The Ofsted inspection - the school's first in 13 years - took place on November 15 and 16 with Ms Perry allegedly telling her sister it was "the worst day of her life", describing the experience as "dreadful".

Her family have said that it was because of the worry surrounding the negative Ofsted result that Ms Perry had taken her own life.

The Ofsted report has been published on the Caversham Primary School's website.

The school was only rated 'inadequate' in the area of leadership and management, as Ofsted inspectors judged that safeguarding arrangements at the school needed improvements.

It was rated 'Good' in the areas of the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and personal development.

However, the rating given for leadership and management led to the school being rated 'Inadequate' over all.

The report states: "The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

"Leaders have a weak understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures.

"They have not exercised sufficient leadership or oversight of this important work.

"As a result, records of safeguarding concerns and the tracking of subsequent actions are poor.

"Leaders have not ensured that all required employment checks are complete for some staff employed at the school. These weaknesses pose potential risks to pupils."

As for the pupil experience, inspectors noted that their behaviour was 'exemplary'.

The report goes on to say: "Pupils enjoy coming to this welcoming and vibrant school.

"They respect and celebrate differences between themselves and others.

"Most pupils behave sensibly and rise to the staff’s high expectations.

"Pupils are kind to each other, listen and respond appropriately to each other. Pupils know who to turn to if they have a worry or a problem, feeling confident that they will get the help they need.

"Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and supportive."

Professor Julia Waters, Ruth Perry's sister, blamed the stress the Ofsted inspection and verdict for leading to her sister's tragic death.

Speaking to BBC South, Professor Waters said: "This one word judgement is just destroying 32 years of her vocation, education was her vocation. 32 years summed up in one word, inadequate. It just preyed on her mind until she couldn't take it anymore.

"She was a huge loss, she was my little sister and she was only 53, she had so much more still to give, so much more that she could do."

The Ofsted report has been published on the Caversham Primary School website, but the latest Ofsted entry for the school still shows its rating as 'Outstanding' following an inspection in 2009.

Ms Perry's death has since led to calls for the current Ofsted ratings to be scrapped.

Responding to a request for comment, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said: "We are saddened to hear of the death of headteacher Ruth Perry and will continue to offer our support to Caversham Primary School at this time.

"The school’s latest Ofsted report is available online."

Reacting to the news, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, said: “The death of Ruth Perry was a devastating event for her family and our community.

“I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to her family as they continue to grieve for a much loved daughter, mum, wife, and sister. I will continue to support the family as best I can.

“Ofsted must now ask themselves some tough questions about their role and how we prevent further tragedies in the future.”