Private school headteachers have denied the Ofsted chief's claims that they do not do enough to help state schools improve education standards.

In October, Sir Michael Wilshaw accused independent schools of simply using their privileged position to offer "crumbs" to their local state school counterparts and wanted a renewed commitment to helping the poorest in society achieve advancement via education and the schools system.

However, Tim Hands, head of Magdalen College School, has used an article in the first magazine of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference to criticise the Ofsted chief's attitude.

Dr Hands said Sir Michael had used the "rhetoric of class hatred and the imagery of warfare", which certainly had not helped to begin a fruitful dialogue with independent schools - many of which already help state schools much more than Sir Michael was willing to admit.

He said: “Sir Michael explained that he would like to build better schools in this country, of international standing. No one would demur. He misjudged how much we have helped and would wish to help in the future and seems not to realise that, according to many surveys, this country’s independent schools already enjoy that status." 

His views were also echoed by the head of the London Highgate school Adam Pettitt. In an article in the same magazine, he said he wanted to address the "misapprehensions” of the country's chief schools investigator.

The Highgate school already sponsors a sixth form free school and a new primary in Tottenham, as well as working as an educational partner with the Crest Academies in Brent. During the summer, the independent school also runs an enrichment programme in maths, physics and chemistry in Haringey.

Mr Pettitt believes just because many private schools are not advertising the fact they help, does not mean they are doing nothing.

If you have experience of working in a teaching job on either side of the fees line, let us know your thoughts on the subject.