MP Caroline Ansell - a former teacher - has criticised the appointment of the new head of the schools watchdog for having no classroom experience

Amanda Spielman, co-founder of Ark - one of Britain's biggest academy chains - has been named Ofsted's next chief inspector.

But some teaching unions criticised the appointment pointing out that she has never been a teacher.

Echoing these concerns during Education Questions in the Commons on Tuesday, Caroline Ansell said: "Teaching colleagues have concerns, which I share, at the appointment of Amanda Spielman as the new chief inspector of Ofsted, who does not hold a teaching qualification or have classroom experience.

"Does this appointment risk eroding the standard of the teaching profession, teachers' esteem and morale?"

But Education Secretary Nicky Morgan defended the appointment.

She said: "Amanda Spielman has a passion for improving children's lives through education. Her work at Ark has transformed the life chances of children in some of our most disadvantaged areas.

"Now I know that parents and teachers want Ofsted to inspect in a fair and consistent and reliable way which supports improvement.

"The chief inspector's role is not to tell teachers how to teach, it is not to second guess them. It is to run Ofsted, to provide an inspectorate to build on evidence and to tell the Secretary of State what sometimes she doesn't want to hear.

"I know that Amanda Spielman will do that on behalf of teachers across the country."