Blowing the whistle on failing schools does not help parents, pupils or the education system - so says Professor Peter Mortimore of London University.

In fact what it does, says the professor in a new book, is "widen the gap between the best and worst schools, skew admissions and exacerbate the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention."

His conclusions are at odds with the government's "zero tolerance" policy on poor schools.

It included the "naming and shaming" of the worst performers and threats of closure if no improvement was seen.

So just who is right? Is the professor's softly softly approach to poor performance the best way? Do not parents have the right to know when a school is not up to scratch?

The professor calls a system that draws attention to a school's deficiencies and lays blame at its door "zealotry".

He says a "less harsh" approach is needed. It would allow a school to review itself and take account of all the pressures - like working in a deprived area - it may be under.

But many parents would disagree. Some say that a failing school is failing their children - and they have the right to know.

Others realise that a public dressing down may be tough. But, they say, if it helps schools to solve their problems it proves ultimately to be fair.

"Naming and shaming" can land schools, and teachers, with a reputation they find hard to shake - even when great improvements have been made.

So what do you think?

Should poor schools be "named and shamed"?

Your reaction in full

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©