IT STANDS to reason that the best teachers are needed in schools that have the biggest problems, to help those who have been struggling manfully against the odds to raise standards.

As is well-documented, Bradford’s education system has deep-rooted problems going back many years and there are complex reasons for the drain of teaching talent from our district.

While there will undoubtedly be examples of teaching excellence in most if not all Bradford schools, perhaps there has been a tendency for inspirational teachers to avoid taking or remaining in jobs at schools where attainment and behavioural standards are low. Any such trend only serves to widen the gap between the successful and less successful schools as top-performing teachers gravitate towards better schools and districts that feature higher up in league tables.

Considering that backdrop, it’s promising to see that Bradford is now pushing ahead with a number of schemes to help prevent an exodus of teachers.

It seems that, finally, experts have recognised the fact that the drain of skilled teachers cannot be allowed to continue if the district’s children are to be given a decent education.

Let’s hope for a future where the best teachers relish the challenge of helping to turn around our district’s struggling schools - and receive the correct level of support in their attempts to do so. The fact the Department for Education sees fit to chose Bradford as a pilot area for a pioneering scheme to encourage teachers should finally put paid to any lingering stigma attached to teaching in the district’s schools.