It was a few months ago. I was in acafe in Fishguard, all Laura Ashleywallpaper, with a silver sheen, porcelain chandeliershanging from the ceiling and turquoise leather banquettes in the corners. Handmadechocolates were decorated with crystallised violets and squiggles of gold.Under a glass dome a ginger cake with lime and coconut frosting winked enticingly at me.

I was feelingcontentedand indulged, stirring the tea leaves in the pot,when suddenly I heard something that nearly made me burp. Two couples were sitting at a nearby table,middle aged, middle class, middle England. One of the men was speaking: 'The educational standard of most people around here is that of the average eleven year old'.

One of the women hissed, 'Hush'.

At the time I thought they were holidaymakers who probably imagined they were in a foreign country where the indigenous natives were backward and wild. What had been said seemed so preposterous I had to stop myself laughing out loud.

After this week's revelations that twenty per cent of Welsh eleven year olds are behind in key skills,

perhaps there was more than a grain of truth in the holidaymaker's observation.

Apparently, since the abolition of league tables showing the position of individual schools,standards have dropped.

I'm not sure who is responsible for this state of affairs, though politicians will, obviously, blame the previous government.

A small,educated elite rules this country but a recent report showed that many MP's,whatever they're political persuasion, are privately educated.

If we look at fee-paying schools, we'll find that they are not failing. On the contrary, their pupils continue to do exceptionally well.

Why is this? Smaller classes andbetter equipment all help but these schools attract enthusiastic teachers who know they are teaching motivated pupils. And why are the pupils motivated? Because when parents pay they want to see results. Therefore they take an interest in what is happening in class and support the teachers to ensure success.Homework is done on time and pupils take part in extra-curricular activities such as sport, music anddrama.

If there is one equation that always works it's this: Teachers plus parents plus pupils=Success.

There'syour answer. Simple. QED. Taken as proved.