League tables for five-year-olds implies intensification of Labour’s disastrous audit culture. Mr Gove, the reason why most countries avoid cognitive work before the age of seven is because nature does not fully activate the left hemisphere until that age.

Cell biologists tell us that the brainwave frequency is predominantly theta, far slower than alpha. This is why young children need fantasy, mobilisation of the sensory and motor systems and play, from inside, which brings forth that which is within.

Disadvantaged children, overdosed on television, need it most. Japan learnt its lesson from hikikomori; must we suffer the same?

Grethe Hooper Hansen, Retired teacher, Bath.