The head of a high-profile school embroiled in a high court battle with Ofsted could impose “pretty much” any disciplinary measure bar “corporal punishment” due to its special legal status, a judge has heard.
Thomas Telford School, in Shropshire, was downgraded to ‘good’ following an inspection it claims was mired by “a series of errors”, Birmingham Administrative Court heard last Friday.
The lead inspector initially suspected the city technical college (CTC) was “acting illegally” and “deliberately gaming” the system over how it recorded absences during a December 2022 inspection.
“Cooling off periods” for pupils were registered as a leave of absence, as opposed to suspensions.
