Blair praises teacher 'heroes'

Morris and Blair earlier met head teachers

Teaching in some inner city schools is "an act of heroism", according to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

It was his take on the comments by his Education Secretary, Estelle Morris, that there were some comprehensive schools which - as a teacher - she "wouldn't touch with a bargepole".

Her remarks brought an angry response from teachers and head teachers, with demands for her to name the schools she had in mind.

Mr Blair told an audience of teachers and parents: "In the inner cities, in particular, there aren't enough good quality schools.

'Putting it right'

"I accept there are some that are failing. That's absolutely clear, that's statistically obvious," he said on Channel 4 News.

"In some of the inner city areas when you are getting really difficult situations, teaching in one of those schools is an act of heroism. But we are putting it right."

He added: "Let's not completely demoralise ourselves. There are also some good things happening in the school system."

Mr Blair said better exam results, more teachers and more investment were examples of where the government had made a difference.

Challenged on the changes to advanced level exams, Mr Blair said he was not going to drop the new AS-levels.

And he said there was no question of the review of student funding recommending reverting to the old system of student maintenance grants.

"It cannot be done," he said.