Professor Glatter’s article, “We must look past our structural obsession and see the real goal” (October 8), cannot go unchallenged. There is significant evidence that the status of the school has an impact on raising attainment.

Specialist schools consistently outperformed all schools nationally, with the proportion of students gaining five good GCSEs including English and maths rising from 45.1 per cent to 70 per cent while across all schools the rate rose from 35.6 per cent to 49.8 per cent.

Academies are improving at a rate three times the national average. Both programmes are highly valued by school leaders and teachers because they have been a catalyst for improvement, changing the ethos and culture of schools, as well as driving up standards.

John Townsley, Headteacher, Morley High School and chair, SSAT National Headteachers’ Steering Group.