Sir – Congratulations to your reporters Reg Little and Chris Buratta for the excellent report on the performance of city schools (November 18), despite the initial refusal of the cabinet member for school improvement.

Councillor Waine attempts to pass the blame on to everyone except the person who holds the responsibility to provide Oxford children with an improved standard of education. Look in the mirror!

It is the fault of ‘headteachers and governors particularly those who had resisted change.’ I recall very little resistance from First schools to the city reorganisation.

He pathetically blames teachers for being ‘harsh markers’ without any evidence to justify that. He also insults the majority of the city’s parents by blaming their lack of responsibility.

His knowledge of geography is poor by claiming that the results of schools bordering the city, Wheatley, Botley and Cumnor should be included.

He calls for ‘greater powers to be given to local education authorities to help tackle under-performing schools.’ My understanding of his party’s policy on education is to do the exact opposite and hand over control to parents.

He was closely involved in removing the two lowest performing secondary schools, Banbury and Peers, from local authority control to became academies. He showed no remorse when dismissing governors from Oxford School to enable the application for academy status to proceed.

Your editorial reveals that the county council is investigating cutting the number of councillors. May I suggest a suitable candidate is councillor Waine?

Councillor Waine’s five-year tenure as cabinet member for school improvement has been an unmitigated disaster for city schools. An apology is not acceptable. I am outraged that he has not resigned.

Martin Thomas, Retired headteacher, Temple Cowley Middle School