I have just completed a tour of England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the Teaching Awards 2004 regional ceremonies. I met a number of outstanding teachers who have demonstrated unquestionable talent and have been advocates of excellence within the profession. However, many of these teachers will not feature in league tables.

The notion that a school’s success can be summarised in a table needs to be re-evaluated to allow recognition for those who truly contribute to best practice.

Let us scrap league tables and focus on the real issues: what constitutes a good teacher and how we can harness best practice for our pupils’ benefit?

David Hanson Chief executive The Teaching Awards Trust 6 Middle Street, London EC1