Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman is “doing a great job” according to Damian Hinds.

The vote of confidence from the education secretary comes despite his concerns about the new school inspection framework being developed by Ms Spielman.

Mr Hinds has failed to back the plans and revealed fears about the impact they could have on teacher workload.

Asked by Tes yesterday if she was the right person to lead Ofsted’s new inspection framework, Mr Hinds said: “Yes.”

When it was put to him that a teaching union felt Ms Spielman was not “a safe pair of hands”, the education secretary added: “I think she’s doing a great job.

“What Amanda wants from Ofsted and the inspection system we have is the same as what I want - which is to have a robust, transparent and supportive system of inspection and to make sure it is looking at a broad and balanced education as well as exam results.”

This week, Ms Spielman said that her new inspection framework would actually help to reduce teacher workload.

“The new framework will place greater emphasis on the substance of education, and actively discourage unnecessary data collection,” she said.

In addition to criticism from NEU joint-general secretary Mary Bousted, Ms Spielman has been called on to speak out more by MPs on the Public Accounts Committee.