Letter: Assisted failure

Sir: David Woodhead (letter, 1 March) stated that the Assisted Places Scheme costs pounds 117m and enables 40,000 academically able children to achieve up to three grades better at A-level. These figures represent spending of about pounds 3,000 per child compared to state secondary costs of about pounds 2,000.

If the comprehensive school where I am a governor had a 50 per cent increase in funding but only managed to increase A-level performance by three grades, heads would roll.

MARTIN FREY

Appledore, Kent