The Government can't say it hasn't been warned.

New Labour's commitment to education, education, education has been all very well.

But its relentless obsession with league tables and test results has driven headteachers in Oxford to the very brink of all-out rebellion.

The most outspoken Joe Johnson of Sandhills Primary, Oxford says for many hard-working teachers and their pupils, tables are just a public humiliation.

He plans to disrupt the whole system by withholding some of the data the Government needs to prepare the tables.

Sensibly he stops short of messing with the tests themselves.

Mr Johnson is giving voice to widespread disillusion, nationally and locally.

Far from inspiring schools to improve their performance, the tables all too often seem to undermine morale among parents, teachers and governors.

Mr Johnson believes there has to be a better way his namesake, new Education Secretary Alan Johnson, had better find it soon.