A FORMER Macclesfield headteacher with a two-year reprimand for her conduct has been working in schools - as an Ofsted inspector.

Millicent Anne Sadler, who left St Alban's Primary as a result of her behaviour has now been suspended from inspection duties, 18 months after the reprimand for unacceptable professional conduct, in May 2008.

The penalty centred on Mrs Sadler's treatment of two children with special needs while she was boss of the Priory Lane school.

Last year the General Teaching Council ruled that Mrs Sadler – who denied all wrongdoing and previously had a good record - did not listen to the advice of colleagues and other professionals, or show a full understanding of the differences between two students with Down's syndrome.

She was also found to have "exhibited demeaning behaviour towards a parent" and "failed to maintain confidentiality about a child" during a school meeting, the GTC ruled.

She has been working for Ofsted across Greater Manchester and the north of England and inspected nine schools in the last six months.

Her employers could not rule out that she inspected schools with some special needs pupils.

Two pupils left St Alban's Primary as a result of her behaviour.

Mrs Sadler, 50, had denied all allegations levelled against her, and the

GTC heard how the accusations had made her "physically ill".

She was suspended from her postby governors in November 2005, and resigned..

The reprimand will stay on her record until May 2010.

Since 2006, Mrs Sadler has been employed by CfBT inspection services – an independent company providing inspectors for Ofsted.

Both CfBT and Ofsted said they were unaware Mrs Sadler was serving a reprimand until November this year - around 18 months after it was enforced.

She has inspected nine primary schools across the North West in the last six months, but CfBT refused to confirm how many she has inspected overall.

Mrs Sadler, who now lives in Crewe, was assigned as an Ofsted inspector for Greater Manchester, Greater Merseyside, and Yorkshire.

A spokesman for Ofsted said: "All inspectors are carefully recruited and trained to deliver high quality inspections.

"All inspectors' work is closely monitored in the field and all have enhanced CRB and full reference checks. CfBT will take any necessary action following its own investigation."

A spokesman for CfBT said they realised Mrs Sadler had a reprimand in early November this year but had not received the minor reprimand when they first employed her in 2006.

He said an investigation was ongoing and she was not currently carrying out inspections.

Eight complaints in connection with the single allegation – of unacceptable professional conduct between 2001 and 2005 - were found proved by the GTC in May, 2008.

Eight further complaints were dismissed.