A School Inspector Calls: But Who is the Fool in the School?

Two primary schools face each other across the river; one outstanding, the other inclusive.

At precisely 8am, Margaret Jones' hire car draws up outside Marsh Street Primary. The beleaguered inspector is being quality assured by two senior colleagues who defend the outdated inspectorate with vigour.

Jill Grimly, the dedicated acting headteacher, teeters precariously between failure and success, assisted by one of her devoted pupils, Ayiesha, a girl with special needs.

The inspection slides into...