Leeds headteacher John Townsley asserts “there is significant evidence that the status of a school has an impact on raising attainment” and that “specialist schools consistently outperform all schools nationally” (Letters, October 22).

Well, schools suddenly given #163;170,000 extra a year, combined with a positive mention in their local paper, are likely to do well, though I think it is unlikely to be responsible for the rise that he says occurs in the proportion getting five A*-C grades at GCSE from 45 to 70 per cent.

Next Mr Townsley suggests “academies are improving at a rate three times the national average”. Odd. The PricewaterhouseCoopers report says there was no evidence to suggest that academies change exam results in any way - up or down - and where they do improve, it is usually down to “fair” banding.

Victoria Jaquiss, Teacher, education campaigner and blogger, Leeds.