OFSTED has made large cuts in the paperwork which schools are asked to provide and further steps to reduce the bureaucratic burden will be introduced in September.

Schools already invest in computers for pupils and have more IT equipment than ever before. But children need access to computers both at school and at home. That's whey we need to see an increase in portable technologies that can be used beyond the classroom and at school.

My Department has already recognised this and has been working specifically on the technical support issue since January and will offer advice to schools during the Autumn term.

I taught for 17 years in an inner city comprehensive schools.

There is a shortage of teachers but the January 2001 schools census showed that teacher numbers were at their highest level than at any time since 1984 - and 11,000 higher than 1997.

Before this government came to power, many failing schools were simply allowed to drift on in a pattern of continuing failure. The government is determined to break that pattern and is successfully doing so.