Last week’s front-page (“Top public schools claim state staff fail to inspire”) falls short of the normal (high) standards of TES journalism. It seems almost calculated to stir up enmity between independent and state schools when both sectors are working hard to build bridges.

Neither the research commissioned by the HMC, nor the comments of heads like Bernard Trafford, cast any aspersions on teachers in state schools. Any criticism of young teachers feeling less comfortable with teaching “off piste” was directed solely at the target-obsessed and assessment-driven system which previous governments have imposed and which constrains teachers in both the maintained and independent sectors.

On this occasion, it is The TES which is “off piste” and HMC which is “piste off”.

Geoff Lucas, General secretary, The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC).