Christine Gilbert and her advisers have trumpeted their utterly unsurprising finding of a link between boring lessons and pupil disaffection. Sir Tim Brighouse has similarly pointed out a link between Ofsted inspection and boring, “playing safe” lessons. It doesn’t take a genius to announce to a startled world that there is therefore a link between Ofsted inspection and pupil disaffection.

Publicity-conscious and self-righteous as ever, Ofsted has announced a “crackdown” on boring lessons. If my logic is correct, it also needs to announce a “crackdown” on its own practices.

Professor Colin Richards, Spark Bridge, Cumbria.