CONTROVERSIAL Government school tzar Chris Woodhead spoke to local teachers last week, many of whom gave his performance a D minus.

As the Chief Inspector of Schools, Mr Woodhead has hit the headlines for lambasting teaching methods and for a former relationships with a pupil.

At the meeting, organised by St Martin's College, he addressed teachers, academics and students and stated that a "traditional, liberal education is the only way forward."

But following his speech, members of the National Union of Teachers were left unimpressed.

Said Beat Carre of the NUT: "Written questions had been submitted to the chair at the beginning of the meeting but were not put to Mr Woodhead during question time. Thus, not a single question was allowed from the floor before the Chief Inspector was ushered away like royalty.

"He was unable to meet members of the NUT representing 500 local teachers on his last planned visit to the Lancaster area and was unwilling to accept our invitation on this occasion."

Brian Penney said: "The first part of his address was devoted almost entirely to a dismissal of views of the nature of education and learning that contradicted his own. In doing so he was often unsubtle, trite and at times barely intelligible.

"His emphasis upon knowledge and information over skills and competencies overlooked that education is surely about all these. Children need a broad and enriching education that is relevant, appropriate, challenging and inspirational."

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