Ofsted is considering a new assessment to ensure schools are looking after pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, The Sunday Telegraph understands.

The move would be part of a wider shake up of the school inspection framework which will be unveiled by Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of schools, next month.

Under the new “personal development” category, schools could be marked on whether they have adequate provisions in place to promote the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils.

Ofsted officials have held meetings in recent weeks with mental health charities to discuss how this might take shape.

It comes as over 40 charities, campaign groups and learned societies write to the The Sunday Telegraph warning that there is a “mental health crisis in our classrooms”, and calling on Ms Spielman to put wellbeing at the heart of the new inspection framework.

The letter's signatories include Young Minds, one of The Telegraph's Christmas charities this year, The Prince’s Trust, the British Psychological Society, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Barnado’s and the NSPCC.