Parents of children with learning difficulties at Matravers School in Westbury are furious after they were told their children should stay out of lessons because of an Ofsted inspection.

They say the inspectors’ visit yesterday and today meant children had to go to the Link Centre, a support section for pupils with behavioural or learning disabilities in the grounds, and stay away from the main body of the school – or not go in to school at all for the two days. Usually they would spent at least part of their day in mainstream lessons.

The move by the Springfield Road school, led by head Dr Simon Riding, was only notified to parents in a phone call late on Wednesday, leaving many angry and upset.

One family who have a son with learning disabilities at the school, were contacted by a learning support teacher from the Link Centre.

The father, who did not want to be named, said: “Parents who have children with learning disabilities all got phone calls from the school last night (Wednesday) not to send our kids in.

“It’s unfair, we received our phone call last night at 5pm saying he had to go to the Link Centre, which is a small section in the school.

“They said it was because Ofsted were coming in, which is really stupid because if they show they are dealing with disabled children it goes in their favour.

“It means they are not allowed to leave the Link Centre and their meal times are completely different.

“I got in touch with Ofsted about this and they didn’t want to know.”

Other parents took to Facebook to voice their disappointment at the school’s decision.

Lee Tilley posted: “This is outrageous, not only is it discrimination at the highest level but also shows the school have something to be worried about and are trying to be portray themselves as something they’re not.”

Others felt the decision was not an issue: Sally Bryant posted “My daughter is still to go in so I have no problem, think this may be a very small minority going by the comments?”

The school refused to comment on the decision when invited to this week by the Wiltshire Times.