Letter: A stick for teachers

IF CHRIS WOODHEAD'S concern is to see standards rise ("Mr Standards slips", 7 February), why is it that the exam boards have been told by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority that any improvement of exam results beyond a 2 per cent margin will result in a return to "norm referencing" whereby only a fixed percentage will be awarded A grades. Such statistical sharp practice will hide excellence and demotivate teachers. Could it be that, by such manoeuvring, the chief inspector means to ensure he will always have a stick with which to beat the profession?

TOM HARDY

The North London Collegiate School, Edgware, Middx