THE Institute of Directors has called on the schools' inspectorate to take a more proactive role in tackling a potential long-term adult skills shortage.

Alyson Howard, chairman of the Kent branch of the IoD, said Ofsted should "disseminate advice, good practice and support" to help schools improve.

"Too many schools are underperforming despite nine years of well-intentioned Government measures to tackle failure. The potential impact on the education of pupils in these schools is worrying.

"There are also clear implications for adult skills: unless educational standards are improved, skills shortages and skills gaps will persist."