Every school needs a 'naff' teacher says Ofsted chair

Ms Atkins argued Ms Atkins argued that poor teachers should not be sacked, as schools "need to reflect society".

She told The Sunday Times: "It's about learning how to identify good role models. One really good thing about primary school is that every kid learns how to deal with a really ---- teacher."

She continued: "I would not remove every single useless teacher because every grown-up in a workplace needs to learn to deal with the moron who sits four desks down without lamping them and to deal with authority that's useless.

"I'd like to keep the number low, but if every primary school has one pretty naff teacher, this helps kids realise that even if you know the quality of authority is not good, you have to learn how to play it."

Ms Atkins, who is to leave Ofsted at the end of August to become chief executive of the British arm of GEMS Education, an independent schools chain, stressed she was speaking in a personal capacity.

But education experts have rounded on her comments.

Chris Woodhead, the former chief inspector of schools, said: "The woman must be bange mad. I can't think of a comment more likely to discredit Ofsted or more likely to further damage our children's education."