Letter: Literacy: teachers have an uphil struggle

Letter: Literacy: teachers have an Sir: After over 30 years of teaching in deprived areas in the North-east I find the reports relating to London areas bewildering. It is impossible for disadvantaged children to reach their chronological reading age by seven as they have not been in education for long enough to overcome their early problems. By the age of 11 some socially deprived children, but not all, are recovering from their lack of opportunities, and one hopes that by 14 and 16 many will have succeeded in doing so.

The lack of funding, larger classes and unsympathetic attitude can only add to the problems of these schools.

Elizabeth Goudie

Consett, Co Durham