iPod Blazer

Back from sunniest France now to catch a read of the M & S inspiration for their 'back-to-school' range a blazer with a special pocket for an iPod.

In typical form the NASUWT have come out in high dudgeon:

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates dismissed the whole idea as 'an error of judgement' and entirely unnecessary.

'Teachers are already battling against the misuse of such technology in classrooms,' she said.

'Pupils nowadays come to school equipped with mobile phones, MP3 players, and portable games consoles when teachers would like them to just bring a pen.'

The gadgets not only distract the users and those around them, but thefts and breakages put extra burdens on staff, she added.

It will be interesting to see how inspirational teachers treat this ... as a threat or an opportunity. It will also be interesting to keep an eye on M & S's bottom line to see how sales go.