The debate comes despite Education Secretary Michael Gove signalling a U-turn over Sir Michael's plans for no-notice inspections of schools from September.

BBC: Heads attack chief inspector's 'bully boy tactics'

In a statement agreed at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, they called on Iran to conclude and implement urgently and unconditionally an additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty allowing for short-notice inspections of suspected nuclear sites.

BBC: EU backs Iran nuclear inspections

The Association of Directors of Children's Services says the decision to bring in new inspections of council school improvement services "without notice" is "regrettable and unsound".

BBC: Education & Family

Iran would almost certainly give the required 90 days notice of its intention to quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and terminate inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

CNN: What if Israel bombs Iran?

When the new no-notice inspections were announced last year, Ofsted said they would involve a team of inspectors spending about two weeks in an area, talking directly to children and their families about their experiences, as well as to front-line social workers and managers.

BBC: Eight councils fail new child-protection spot checks