I teach in an outer London school and keep hearing all sorts of horror stories from colleagues who have worked in inner London schools.

One teacher I respect greatly says: “I’ll never work in inner London again.”

Are such stories true or is this some kind or urban myth? What percentage of secondary schools in Lambeth, Southwark, Camden, Islington, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets have failed their Ofsted inspections and in special measures? What is being done to reverse the low A-C pass rate in many inner London schools?

I would really like to know what’s happening. If improvements are being made in innner-city schools, then I might try working in one. However, if things are as bad as people say, then I reckon the teaching unions should push for changes to be made.

Martin Wheeler
South east London