Could we be honest for once – in this country children do not really count and poor children count least of all.

If we are serious about closing the gap in education, serious about closing the gap between rich and poor then there are only three things that need to be done. It’s not rocket science, it’s quite simple but not one political party will promote it and nobody will vote for it.

1. Make sure no child goes to school hungry. If you’re hungry you can’t learn but there are children going to school hungry and this is in one of the seventh richest countries in the world. That is a disgrace and we should all be ashamed. Ensure our children are well fed and we’re on our way to closing that gap.

2. Reduce class size to 20; if it’s good enough for the rich it is good enough for every child. There would be no need to extend the school day, or to have cramming sessions just reduce class size to achieve higher standards.

3. Supply decent housing for everybody - no slums, no rat infested, cockroach infested housing then attainment will rise. Of course, excuses will be found - blame the parents, blame anybody but the only ones to blame are the government and ourselves.

Three simple measures and achievements will rise but nobody cares.

Don’t blame teachers, don’t blame parents who are struggling; give every adult a living wage not means tested and give these children a chance. I dare you to demand it.

I’ve been chair of governors and I’ve seen governors that don’t care. They like saying I’m a governor but that’s it. I’ve had my fights with advisers; I’ve had my fights with the education department in London and got the result I wanted from London against the advisers in Bolton. I did care but not unfortunately enough people do.

Ian Greenhalgh