Sir – The unhappy expression on councillor Michael Waine’s face in last week’s edition is understandable; he was a distinguished primary headmaster, the city’s Key Stage One results must cause him professional disappointment as well as political disquiet.

As an ancient ex-teacher, I have some sympathy for him, as he presides over the education of children who, as young as five, are increasingly using television, computers, the Internet, mobile phones and texting for entertainment, information and communication; for them, the chore of learning reading and writing appears to be somewhat irrevelant.

Councillor Waine attributes blame variously to failures in leadership, governing and social conditions, and, in some cases he may well be right.

However, I place the blame fairly and squarely on the iniquitous requirement for seven-year-olds, from many backgrounds, to be subjected to these tests. The stultifying demands of the National Curriculum, combined with the tests, inhibit real teaching. Teachers, whilst trying to deploy their professional expertise to their pupils needs, the shadow of the tests, the results of which judge their school’s success, is always hovering in the background.

Your leader Shocking Results hits the nail on the head in urging the necessity for someone to take the situation by the scruff of the neck. In former days, this would have been a director of education, apparently a dying breed. I feel councillor Waine may wish for someone of the ilk of Alan Chorlton and Tim Brighouse to offer expert advice to the council, to lead a team of experienced advisory teachers to work in schools requiring help, and, as importantly, to offer, publicly, appropriate educational stategies and policy when matters such as the Key Stage One results arise.

Martin Sheldon, Headington Quarry