Standard bearers

Of course, the Government is right to be concerned about standards. A good teacher, with the priceless ability to inspire, can make or break a child's future.

Yet Ministers are going about this the wrong way. Success can be judged in so many different ways, with an inspirational teacher at a school with challenging pupils just as invaluable as an average staff member at a school topping league tables.

Given the amount of powers that have been devolved to headteachers, these individuals should be determining whether their staff are competent. It is, after all, their job.

The problem, however, is the paperwork demands placed on them by

meddling Ministers. The consequence is that headteachers spend too much time locked away in their office – and very little time in the classroom assessing the progress of their pupils and staff. If this changed, the proposed "licensing" scheme – and accompanying bureaucracy – would become superfluous to requirements.