As a critic of Ofsted and an advocate of the resurrection of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools (killed off in 1992), I found Roger Pope’s comments based on his recent inspection (“Sting in the forked tail of inspections”, TES, April 25) amusing and insightful. He employs humour - one of our few remaining weapons against officialdom - very skillfully and tellingly. But why does he feel the need to preface his remarks by saying “the report turned out pretty well for us”?
Unfortunately, we all know why. This is yet another indication of the current defensive and fearful education climate so beautifully satirised in his article.
Professor Colin Richards, Spark Bridge, Cumbria.