Letter: Private schools answer the needs of parents not children

LYNNE Reid Banks' contribution to the education debate is depressing evidence of the sterility of this discourse. It is the effortless leap from the particular (Alice) to the general (state schools) which at first allures, but ultimately leads nowhere.

I am parent to three children whose progress in state schools has been a pleasure to witness. This positive particularity in no way prevents me from criticising the shambles of current educational policy. It does, however, lead me to admire the dedication of teachers who continue to achieve splendid things despite the abject failure of educational leadership from the Government.

Andy Mortimer

Nottingham