The ATL union conference painted a stark picture of the reality of education in schools as a direct consequence of the disastrous “measurement by results” policies followed by recent governments. That almost 60 per cent of teachers are considering quitting the profession might be too much even for Michael Wilshaw’s view of his former colleagues. Words and terms such as “futile”, “appalling behaviour” and “fudging of results” aptly describe a disenfranchised, bored classroom population. Sadly, lessons are not being learned by our current policymakers.

Professor Bill Boyle, School of Education, University of Manchester.