EVERY school has its own individual circumstances, but the current malaise affecting Moorhead High, in Accrington, is reflected in every town in England and can be directly attributed to the Kenneth Baker Reform Acts of just over a decade ago.

Tory policy of introducing an education market with league tables, parental choice, local management and unfair funding has resulted in massive polarisation between high-achieving schools with middle class children and the struggling remainder.

Add to this recipe the selectivity of church schools, community technology colleges and a variety of specialist schools and the logic of the situation is obvious to all. Moorheads exist in every town.

New Labour has accepted this market rationale and extended its influence. OFSTED polices the system with a mixture of intimidation and aloof, detached superiority.

They invariably increase teacher resentment by ignoring the obvious and avoiding getting their hands dirty through any real work.

The problems of Moorhead will only be solved when the school is fairly resourced with a balanced ability intake and a reduced number of difficult children.

Greg Pope's comment about 'superheads' is a 'politically correct' promotion of a modern myth.

Where such heads have been successful, their appointment has always been accompanied by the removal of a high percentage of disruptive children.

With massive disillusionment within the teaching profession and unprecedented recruitment problems, it really is time the Government started listening to teachers...and railway workers...and even nurses.

Some, hope!

M RICHARDSON (Mr) (27 years teaching experience), St Paul's Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe.