THE Chief Inspector of Schools told teachers in York to be bold, take the initiative, and do what they thought was right with their school.

Speaking to the city's education community at the annual education lecture, David Bell advised teachers not to react to the demand for improvement as if it was an insult to their professionalism or an example of politicians failing to trust them.

He said: "Be bold and take the initiative, doing what you think is right in your school with the bottom line being the improvement of education for pupils in your care."

In the speech, at the National Railway Museum last night, Mr Bell talked about the findings of his first report on the state of education published earlier this month.

In it he recognised the success of teachers in improving the quality of work over the last ten years, but said he was very concerned about the achievement of boys and how it affected secondary education.

He also talked about the balance between government demands and the realities of teaching.

He said: "If I find that a particular government policy is working brilliantly then I shall say so loud and clear - not because I am a government poodle (I am anything but), but because that is what our evidence tells me.

"But by the same token if I find that schools are confused or overwhelmed, that improvement has stalled or that some parts of the system are missing out then that is what I shall say regardless of whether that is an uncomfortable message for central government."

He also talked of the need for inspection which satisfied the need for accountability but said it had to be balanced with the demand for those in education to be able to get on with the job.

Updated: 10:51 Friday, February 28, 2003