Ed Dorrell is right to warn against the prospect of teachers’ pay being partly determined by feedback from students on teaching quality (“Don’t always give the customer what he wants”, Editorial, 24 January). But his arguments are insulting to school leaders and patronising to young people. He suggests that most students would “opt for entertainment and anarchy”. This kind of myth should not be peddled by TES.

When leading a training session a few years ago, I talked with A-level students about “good teaching”. They were perceptive, articulate and persuasive. The best teachers, they agreed, used a variety of methods, made lesson aims clear, encouraged participation, recognised the needs of individuals, were passionate about their subjects and gave regular and clear feedback.

Most students want good teaching and know what it looks like.

Robert Powell, Former school leader.