I am curious as to how you interpreted anything I said to your reporter on Key Stage One achievement on November 17 as “blaming parents” for the current underachievement in Key Stage One results in Oxford.

You printed our interview in full and not once did I say I blamed parents (Oxford Mail, November 18).

I also have to say I didn’t “blame” teachers either.

I said we needed strong leadership in the schools.

We are providing targeted schools with robust challenge and support.

Things are now improving but heads need to take the schools and communities with them.

We need uniformly excellent and determined leadership that recognises the need to make real improvement.

In most instances we get that leadership but, where we don't, we use our powers of intervention to make the necessary difference.

I am asking the chairman of the Oxfordshire children’s services scrutiny committee for her committee – which includes three Oxford councillors – to review our approach to raising attainment at Key Stage One in Oxford, and to make recommendations accordingly.

Michael Waine, Cabinet member for school improvement, County Hall, Oxford