We have published guidance for schools on OFSTED's Code of Conduct. It sets out the minimum standards of courtesy and professionalism schools can expect from inspectors. Schools have a duty of care to their staff and students. In certain circumstances, they have a legal duty to protect them by calling a halt to the inspection. The guidance offers advice to schools where inspectors refuse or fail to comply with the Code. It supports schools in the most exceptional circumstances where it becomes necessary to remove an OFSTED inspector from its premises on Health and Safety grounds to protect its staff and/or students.

Our guidance and related documents are available below:

• Guidance Document

• OFSTED's Code of Conduct

• OFSTED's Guidance

Many complaints about OFSED are based on inappropriate comments or behaviours of inspectors. OFSTED refuses to accept any unsubstantiated complaints. Schools' duty of care to their staff and students requires them to obtain evidence of potentially inappropriate behaviours and practices.

We encourage schools to record all meetings with inspectors wherever they have concerns about the conduct or competence of the inspector or inspection.

Our guidance is available below:

• Guidance Document

Headteachers seek to protect staff from the risk of intimidatory and abusive behaviour of OFSTED and the unjust and invalid denigration of a school's performance frequently reported to us by schools. They are often left feeling isolated, vulnerable and depressed from the injustice.

Headteachers should form a group of five to offer peer support. Meetings should be in person and ideally once per term. Whenever a school goes through an OFSTED inspection, the group should meet to offer emotional and professional support, especially where the inspection is founded on intimidatory practices and invalid criticism.