The BBC's Sue Littlemore: "It wasn't about teacher bashing"

In a speech to a conference of new headteachers in London, Tony Blair denounced "the forces of conservatism" in education - saying that social deprivation should not be used as an excuse for children's failure at school.

Attacking the 'outdated' views of critics from the left and right, Mr Blair said that a "culture of excuses still infects some parts of the teaching profession'".

David Blunkett: "We're not knocking teachers"

Among right-wingers, he said this "takes the form of a patronising belief that excellence in education can only be for a minority", while on the left there is a "culture that tolerates low ambitions and ... treats poverty as an excuse for failure".

But in a speech to Conservatives in Leicester, Mr Hague said that "the culture of excuses lies in Downing Street" and that Mr Blair's attack had been "offensive to the entire teaching profession".

William Hague says the prime minister's attack is "offensive to the entire teaching profession"

Mr Hague accused the prime minister of "brass neck hypocrisy" for "attacking teachers for failing to teach, when it his government that is drowning teachers in paperwork".

Teachers' union leaders had also been angered by the suggestion that they were standing in the way of progress.

Nigel de Gruchy, said teachers would be "insulted" and "incredulous" at the inclusion of teachers among the "forces of conservatism".

"Teachers have accepted a whole range of change which has been imposed on us over the last 20 years.

Nigel de Gruchy says teachers have a right to criticise the government's policies

"Many teachers feel somewhat insulted and patronised by you when you dismiss any criticism as representing the dark forces of conservatism," said Mr de Gruchy, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers.

The prime minister was trying to "brainwash the public" with his refusal to accept any criticism, said Mr McAvoy.

The leader of the National Union of Teachers, Doug McAvoy, also rejected claims that teachers were unnecessarily resistant to change, saying that they were right to be cautious about change until it had been proved to be worthwhile.

Mr Blair and the Education Secretary David Blunkett also announced a £30m package of extra support for headteachers, including details of a new 'leadership college' - which has been described as a 'Sandhurst for schools'.

As part of the campaign to modernise teaching, the prime minister promised a laptop computer for all new headteachers, so that they can make better use of online resources for schools.

Tony Blair and David Blunkett want to modernise the teaching profession

Mr Blair has called on headteachers to support the government's plans to bring in performance-related pay from next autumn.

He appealed to them to make a success of the scheme, which could see many teachers getting pay rises of up to 10% in exchange for moving onto a new targets-related salary ladder.

In response, the Conservative education spokeswoman, Theresa May, said the prime minister is seeking to shift blame away from himself.

"Once again the prime minister seeks to blame others for his problems. We know where the real culture of excess lies. It lies with the government that constantly interferes in the classroom and then blames head teachers when things do not get done."