What politicians want to create is irreversible change because when you leave office someone changes it back again.

You have got to attract the brightest and the best, but the brightest and best won't stay unless they see real career options.

There is a shortage of teachers but the January 2001 schools census showed that teacher numbers were at their highest level than at any time since 1984 - and 11,000 higher than 1997.

I was head of the Sixth Form Centre when I left the school.

I taught for 17 years in an inner city comprehensive schools.

The need for improved technical support in schools has expanded as the Government and schools have increased their investment in information and communications technologies.

Before this government came to power, many failing schools were simply allowed to drift on in a pattern of continuing failure. The government is determined to break that pattern and is successfully doing so.