SIR – Further to Cllr Geoff Reid’s (pictured) letter (December 24), as a co-opted fellow member of his on the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, I heartily agree with his critical comments about the implied judgement by some senior officers of Council, that the committee’s attention span was insufficient to take on board the full version of Professor Wood’s report rather than the executive summary thereof.
Where I think I depart from the conclusion of many/most of my colleagues on the committee lies in the nature of the ‘brutal facts’ about educational attainment in Bradford that we are supposed to be recognising and addressing.
Where there is something we can do, or already ought to have done, about shortcomings in leadership and management of schools and in the quality of delivered teaching, then the sort of apology offered by the committee chair on the day of the meeting to examine the report is perfectly valid.
If, as is the case however, Bradford’s politicians, local media and interested parts of its population are actually fairly determined to avoid ‘brutal facts’ then it becomes a bit awkward.
Mike Pollard, Moorfield Drive, Baildon
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article