LETTER - missed education targets (15/09/03)

Dear Sir,

A correspondent to Somerset County Gazette has stated that schools are managed by County Councils. Schools are in fact managed by Governors and head teachers. However, national target-setting is the remit of the Labour Government. Teachers are saying that children's creativity is stifled because they have to teach towards tests. Increased testing clearly doesn't work because one in four primary pupils are failing tests for reading and maths. Money is being spent on assessment when it should be spent on improving children's education.

Cllr Christopher Wolverson

Leader of the Conservative Group

Somerset County Council