Letter: Natural selection

From Mr John Burchill

Sir: In case anyone should confuse the John Burchill writing on Tuesday (letter, 9 January) with the Chief Education Inspector who introduced selection in Wandsworth schools three years ago, let me put the record straight.

I agree with my namesake that selection has a knock-on effect, but I welcome it. The so-called comprehensive system of education led to the worst form of selection because it was done under the spurious guise of equal opportunities. Honest selection leads to proper opportunities and will lead to a better match between pupils' aptitude and the curriculum. Selection is a natural tendency which should be managed sensibly and used for the benefit of everybody.

Yours faithfully,

John Burchill

Chief Education Inspector

Wandsworth Borough Council

London, SW18

10 January