The London borough of Croydon identified seven primary schools and four secondary schools in our education development plan using the ‘Y’ code with the definition: “the local education authority expects these schools to exceed their published targets”.

I am pleased to reassure your readers and the NUT that this has not been interpreted locally as “naming and shaming”. It has led to a constructive dialogue with the schools concerned, several of whom would have increased their target if they had been allowed a revision.

It has also helped Croydon’s inspectors to be transparently consistent in their discussions with all schools on targets and progress towards them.

Croydon schools have responded positively to the target-setting process which is contributing to the significant improvements in standards that we are experiencing.

Hugh Malyan Chair of the education committee London Borough of Croydon Katherine Street Croydon