DISCOUNT supermarket Poundland has reportedly hit back at an Oxfordshire teacher who described a GCSE grade 4 as a 'Poundland pass' and a higher grade 5 a 'Waitrose C'.

Stephen Petty, head of humanities at Lord Williams's School Thame, caused upset with an article he wrote for the Times Educational Supplement (TES).

In an online response, the supermarket has reportedly accused Mr Petty of 'stereotypical thinking' and said it has the same mix of customers as other supermarkets.

The Sun newspaper has quoted Poundland PR officer Andrea Ross today as telling Mr Petty: "Perhaps we could respectfully ask that you avoid using our name as a judgemental adjective in future, if only so people are less likely to jump to conclusions about you."