As a Scot working in the English system, I have always been proud of the great Scottish tradition of exporting ideas and significant men and women to the far ends of the Earth. However, Michael Gove now causes me to seek forgiveness for my fellow Scot’s abject failure as England’s education secretary to understand or listen to what our children need. To quote from Ernest Hemingway (pictured, right): “I misjudged you ... You’re not a moron. You’re only a case of arrested development”. It might seem like a cheap insult but it helps to remove some of the guilt.

Jim Tague, Lesmahagow, Scotland.