Issuing a demand for Bristol to come up with an action plan to sort out its failing schools in weeks makes great headlines for the Government.

But that is all.

It is mere rhetoric. It does not help the situation and certainly does nothing to address the real problems.

The fact is that the poorest performing primary schools in Bristol are those in the most deprived areas or those where a range of different languages are spoken.

And the same is true for a school where the majority of children do not speak English as their first language.

Mr Balls may want an action plan early in the New Year but he knows there is no quick-fix. Addressing this situation and bringing about significant improvements takes months, if not years.

The education secretary may see the grouping together of local schools in federations as the answer.

What it fails to recognise is that no arrangement will work without sound and strong leadership.

A good headteacher can inspire their staff and pupils so that a can-do mentality develops in a school.

But no-one, least of all Mr Balls, can put things right with the wave of a magic wand or by trumpeting a new initiative.

Knee-jerk reactions to the cries of politicians who may well be out of a job in six months are simply are the very last thing that is needed.