A head teacher who is thought to have killed herself after criticism from school inspectors sent a poignant e-mail saying “We will keep smiling” hours after she had made a major presentation to the officials.

Irene Hogg, whose death is being investigated by police, appeared depressed after her presentation to the inspectors on Tuesday, March 18.

When a Borders Council colleague asked how it had gone, Ms Hogg wrote in an e-mail, released under the Freedom of Information Act but partially censored: “Some good some bad! Pleased with some of the language work. [words removed] - good beginning and good plenary.

“Lay inspector was good - and well pleased with the school - positive children, positive parents and very good support staff.”

The e-mail ended: “We will keep smiling, Irene.”

A week later, after the Easter weekend, Ms Hogg, 54,was found dead at a remote beauty spot. Friends said she had been very anxious about the inspection and was “depressed” and “very disillusioned” following verbal feedback at the end of it.

The popular and highly regarded head, who had held the job for 18 years, was thought to have been criticised in the report for lack of leadership and failure to fill in a complaint form after a disciplinary issue.

The official assessment of Glendinning Primary School, Galashiels, by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education is due to be released today but it has been criticised in advance by Ms Hogg's family because, as a result of her death, it does not contain any appraisal of her leadership.

The documents released to The Times by Borders Council also reveal that Ms Hogg, although known to be worried about the forthcoming inspection, had reason to be fairly confident.

Both her school and her leadership had been praised in an internal pre- inspection report by Borders Council the month before she died. Such reports are often regarded as a dummy run for the inspectorate's assessment.

In the internal report Ms Hogg was described by local education officers as “deeply committed to the school, pupils and parents” and having “a profound vision of what the school can achieve for each pupil”.

Ms Hogg's leadership, of her staff and of the school was rated “good”. She is described as giving “strong, quiet support” and having a high success rate with pupils who had not succeeded elsewhere.

Although the school was graded “adequate” in the categories of meeting learning needs, promoting achievement and self-evaluation - the most theoretical areas - it was rated “good” or “very good” in all other areas.

The inspection said reading, writing and mathematics were good and very good and attainment was rising. It also praised the motivation of children to learn, pastoral care, discipline and use of accommodation. The school had 100 per cent parental turnout at parent sessions and was described as a “model of good practice” for its work with travelling children.

The report stated: “The head teacher has a good understanding of learning and teaching. She recognises what needs to be improved and is steadily moving the school forward.”

Slices of information were edited out on the grounds that they mention a third party and hint at persistent problems Ms Hogg had with one or more members of her staff. It stated that Ms Hogg “knows what she wants to achieve but issues with [words missing] hinder the full implementation of her vision ... over a period of time the headteacher has had to manage significant challenges within the staff team including concerns about the competence of the [words missing].”

It also stated: “Challenging situations within the staff are dealt with in a thoughtful and considered way by the headteacher to ensure the most effective solution is reached.”

Ms Hogg's brother has said that his sister told the council six months before her death that she was suffering from stress.

The exact cause of Ms Hogg's death is unknown as tests were inconclusive. The Crown Office will decide whether to hold a fatal accident inquiry.

Christine Grahame, a teacher and MSP for South of Scotland, has accused school inspectors of turning up at schools dressed like characters from the movie Men in Black, intimidating teachers and frightening pupils.

She said that she had spoken to a number of teachers who had expressed deep concerns about the style and manner of the inspections. One teacher described the process as “brutal and personal” rather than professional and aimed at improving the development of the school.

Ms Grahame called for a fatal accident inquiry into Ms Hogg's death.

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