I am not the only one irritated by the patronising tone of Michael Bichard when speaking of teachers as “a breed. . . many of whom are doing an excellent job and most of them want to”. I can only reciprocate by suggesting that teachers’ leaders follow my example and on every possible occasion in dealing with the Department for Education and Employment preface their remarks by suggesting that many of the DFEE staff as a breed are doing an excellent job and most want to. That might begin to shut up our patronising bureaucrats.

MAX MORRIS 44 Coolhurst Road, London N8