John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Education and Children's Services, has spoken out about the perilous state of Reading's schools after he was quoted in an official council press release saying:

"Its great that Reading's schools have been received this funding from Arts Council England. Its important that children learn through creative project like this and I am sure the new outdoor learning space will be a great asset to the school." [Artistic Approach to Teaching]

After the grammatically challenged Council press release was revealed, Cllr Ennis was overheard speaking to colleagues and telling them that perhaps Labour's amendment to a Tory motion at last week's full council meeting was a little premature and that Reading needed to increase the number of grammar schools in order to teach councillors grammar. He also suggested that as well as more grammar schools, some spelling schools wouldn't go amiss.

A chastened John Ennis told us: "I've been given a damn good spanking by Labour's new strict headmistress Jan Gavin about me not speaking proper. Kept me in after class and smacked my knuckles with a ruler."

Labour's cut backs in the publicity department have also caused consternation among council staff after the use of apostrophes was banned in order to save ink. One unnamed staff member told us: "its terrible. dont they no wot effect itll has been on the quality of councils press releases?"