Education Letter: Personally speaking

SUSAN GREGORY (Top Marks for Mediocrity, 5 November) is absolutely right; the quality of external marking in English tests is exceptionally worrying.

There is, though, a simple solution. Restore the value of coursework to that which was enjoyed by teachers and students in the Eighties.

If this seems too radical a step for some, they can always rest easy in the knowledge that they are merely returning to the good old days under Mrs Thatcher.

Adrian Beard

Head of English

Gosforth High School

Newcastle Upon Tyne