Scotland's education minister has hit back at England's former chief inspector of schools after he criticised her ability to do her job.

Chris Woodhead said Cathy Jamieson lacked the "intelligence and courage" to take on vested interests.

He also criticised Scotland's national debate on education as a "waste of money" with a "pathetic" response rate.

In return, Ms Jamieson accused Mr Woodhead of being childish and said his views were not representative of people living in Scotland.

Cathy Jamieson rejected the criticisms

Writing in the latest edition of the Holyrood magazine Mr Woodhead said the Scottish Executive needed "radical" policies.

He rejected Ms Jamieson's claim that the consultation on education was a "once in a decade opportunity" for people to have their say about the education system.

He branded it a "once in a decade embarrassment for a parliament that is struggling to convince the electorate that it is capable of doing anything to justify its own escalating expense".

The executive estimated that more than 20,000 people took part in the debate which was launched in March 2002 and closed on 12 July.

'Gobbledegook'

Mr Woodhead said: "This is actually a pathetic 0.4% of the population, a testament to the fact that most people in Scotland found the whole exercise pointless."

Mr Woodhead added: "How much did the exercise cost? Again we have not been told but judging from the main findings we have been given it was a ridiculous waste of money."

He said the consultation made no reference to poor teachers or failing schools and ignored the importance of the traditional curriculum.

He said: "She has swallowed whole the gobbledegook of the progressive educational establishment and she demonstrates how far she is from most Scottish parents.

"Forget the warm words of reassurance, 'We have listened, your views count, by taking part you have made a difference'. They do not and while Ms Jamieson is in power, you won't."

'An insult'

He said: "She neither understands what education is nor, it seems, has the intelligence and courage to confront those vested interests that impede progress."

Ms Jamieson said in response to Mr Woodhead's accusations: "If Chris Woodhead was less interested in making snide self promoting remarks from across the border and more interested in making relevant grown up contributions to the national debate then we would all be more inclined to listen to what he has to say.

"His comments are an insult to the 20,000 people who would rather have a genuine debate about Scottish education."

She added: "Mr Woodhead is entitled to his opinions but I do not share them and neither do the majority of parents, children and teachers across Scotland."