The attack was made by Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the second biggest teachers' union, the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers.

BBC: Militants accused of harming teaching

Nigel de Gruchy, the general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women teachers said it was "more privatisation, tempered only by more central and bureaucratic control".

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But Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers said that, although those who passed were to be congratulated, having a GCSE in maths ought to be enough.

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The actions of these delegates had led to bad publicity for teachers which cast a shadow over the public's perception of the entire profession, Mr de Gruchy told his own union's annual conference, in Llandudno.

BBC: Militants accused of harming teaching