Peter Dawson’s ill-considered position regarding the impact of the Office for Standards in Education inspections on teachers (TES, Letters, October 18) says much about his shifting ground of support since his days as general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers. But, of course, that was in pre-OFSTED days. By citing the “OFSTED can help me get something done” syndrome among headteachers, he belittles them, their staff, school governors and himself by such plain “best-thing-since-sliced-bread” nonsense.

I do genuinely wonder if all OFSTED training for aspiring inspectors has little more than a cloning effect on even those once supportive of teachers in schools.

TIM PESKETT Ex-primary headteacher Co-ordinator for new governors Northamptonshire