Geoffrey Owen, from Yeovil, Somerset, an inspector who has been the subject of complaints from 12 schools across England for allegedly using aggressive and intimidating tactics, has been removed from Ofsted's register of school inspectors.

Most of the complaints have been rejected by Ofsted, but earlier this month the schools' watchdog upheld a complaint from Christ Church School in Downend, South Gloucestershire, which was inspected last July.

Nigel de Gruchy said the decision will help improve teachers' confidence in Ofsted

The Chief Inspector, Chris Woodhead, said that although Mr Owen's judgement had previously been found to be "secure and valid" , the decision to remove him from the list of inspectors reflected his "overall performance record".

The decision was welcomed by the General Secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, Nigel de Gruchy.

"We have had so many complaints about this inspector that if something had not been done, we would have lost all confidence in the Ofsted inspection procedure.

"We cannot have hundreds of teachers always being wrong, and this inspector being the only one who is right."

Ofsted has "de-registered" 14 inspectors in the past year and the work of a further 40 inspectors is under review, out of a total of 2,100 registered inspectors.

Before the announcement of his removal, Mr Owen said: "There has been a concerted and orchestrated campaign against me and my team.

"I did follow Ofsted inspection guidelines to the letter and did consider the effects of my actions upon staff very carefully."