Interesting and irritating to read the Director of Play England criticising parents for being over protective of children perhaps he should read the news more closely, it is schools who have banned conkers as they have stopped many of the playground games we remember. Is it schools carrying the health and safety policy to far or is local education authorities who put out these edicts. In the last few weeks of term we heard about sports days not allowing the egg and spoon race or the …

It is really concerning for many parents that we have yet another teacher’s union leader going to conference with such a negative approach to parents and parenting skills. We are all aware of the problems in today’s society but to label parents in the national press in this way does little good and does not affect those who are being discussed. I worked for 13 years as an OFSTED lay inspector and way back in the early 1990′s I visited some school in certain areas where children were neglect and …

As the holidays begin it is hard to believe we end the school year with more confusion and distress for our children. We do not expect perfection from Ed Balls but a degree of competence is not only expected but essential if he is to continue to run the education system. In May I and others given the information schools were providing suggest to him and his Minister Jim Knight there were problems with the company marking SATs. Parents and teachers were assured there was no problem, all was on …