While it is indeed a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possession of a set of testicles is more likely to attain promotion in the teaching profession than his female counterpart, it is most certainly not for the reasons suggested by Ms Thrope (TES Magazine, April 9).

I have heard more enlightened discussions on gender politics from my class of five-year-olds than in this article. Whatever is The TES thinking of printing this sort of drivel in the magazine of a professional journal? It is an insult to members of our profession and fodder to those who perceive us to be in the business of “dumbing down”. Ms Thrope should perhaps write under the pen name of Ms Ogonist and I might as well subscribe to the Daily Mail.

Denise Noble, Primary teacher, Chester.