Why school heads count

• GOVERNMENT action can have only a limited impact on exam results, but the provision of adequate funding, so lacking in the 1980s and 1990s, is clearly linked to achievement where significant numbers of pupils endure poverty (Warning from past, January 29).  

Unfortunately, central government action has limited the extent to which local government can exert influence in this regard since the days of Frances Morrell at the Inner London Education Authority. That said, ensuring all children have at least one good-quality meal during the school day will improve concentration levels and those councillors of both parties who have pressed for this should be commended.  

The next stage is to ensure younger pupils in particular take advantage of what is on offer. By far the biggest influence on the success or otherwise of our schools is the quality of the headteacher. Councillors were at one time routinely involved in their appointment, but some of those now in post may not be aware that by the 1990s we were in something of a transition phase with councillors only involved in certain circumstances. I believe it is fair to say that the appointments in which councillors had a hand have paved the way for the improvement in exam results which, with the help of funding for additional teacher support, are now being experienced.

ANDREW BOSI
Former deputy chairman, Islington Education Committee, N1