What makes a good school? More than anything else, it's the quality of the teachers as any pupil knows.

This came across strongly in a conference of independent school heads held at Brighton College yesterday.

Research shows if teachers listen to what pupils want and expect, they will generally achieve better results.

But good teachers can only be attracted if the pay and conditions are right. That involves a huge investment.

Independent schools have the advantage over state schools of spending 55 per cent more per pupil on education which means they tend to attract many of the best teachers.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged to match that investment in the state system. The conference was told that would mean a £12 billion cash injection.

The next Government will have to think seriously about committing that cash to achieve the desired results.