They will also be required to draw up formal complaints procedures, while private boarding schools will be encouraged to include welfare information in their brochures.

Children of Forces families get particular protection. Boarding schools on the Ministry of Defence’s approved list must make their welfare inspection reports public, while parents claiming the Pounds 6,000 boarding-school allowance will have to say they have seen the school’s welfare policy.

Guidance and training on welfare issues are planned for boarding school staff. Welfare inspections, already required of private boarding schools under the 1989 Children Act, will be extended to all boarding schools.

The Utting report last year warned regulation to enforce welfare standards was too cumbersome; one school had taken four years to close.