Ofsted inspectors are being given licence to judge the effectiveness of schools despite the fact that they have never passed a qualification in teaching themselves, it has emerged.

A leaked email, seen by the Times Educational Supplement, has revealed that a minimum of five lead inspectors are conducting inspections without holding relevant teaching qualifications.

“No doubt you are aware of the recent media scrutiny into the background of inspectors. In the past this has not been an issue?.?.?. [but] clearly this situation is changing and we need to have accurate records as to whether our inspectors have qualified teacher status," he commented.

The news, perhaps unsurprisingly, has prompted an angry response from leading figures within the teaching union movement, including Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers.

"I don't know how anyone who isn't qualified could provide a meaningful assessment of the quality of teaching," he said.

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