OFSTED claims Middlesbrough Council “has failed to balance schools’ greater autonomy with maintaining an oversight on their performance” (Echo, Mar 13).
So when the policy of an educational quasi-market advocated by all main political parties fails to drive up standards by freeing schools as the producers of education for pupils (and parents) as consumers, the local authority, whose funding has been hit over several decades effectively ending any meaningful support role, gets the blame.
Is this what counts as “putting fairness at the heart of government” these days?
Linda Allen, Newton Aycliffe.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here