The reference to the possibility of pupils’ being penalised for using the wrong method in a Sats assessment, as read in “The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” (Editorial, 1 February), reminded me of a Sats advisory meeting I once attended. Teachers from my special school were invited to attend alongside their mainstream colleagues. The session was led by a power-dressed suit who was being paid a lot to advise us.

The meeting arrived at a maths measures task, involving the use of apples to weigh an object. “The answer is four,” the suit said, after demonstrating the required response. The special school teachers felt uneasy and began to confer. A hand went up. “The answer will not always be four,” our spokesperson said. “With Bramleys it could be two; the use of small dessert apples will lead to the answer of six.” The glare of contempt from the suit halted any further dissent from the special school delegation. There was silence as the suit moved on to the next task. We were never invited again.

James Henry, Nom de plume.