Consultation is a farce

24th October 1997, 1:00am
So, foundation status is “set in stone” with “no room for negotiation” (TES, October 10). Why bother then with the farce of consultation?

Grant-maintained schools may not be keen on foundation status, but there will be plenty of heads, governors and parents who find the snob appeal of their school becoming a foundation school irresistible.

The Department for Education and Employment would be well-advised to set aside a considerable sum to fund the ballots which will arise as schools hasten to put themselves ahead of the competition.

When this happens, what price standards?

LYNNE HUBBARD

35 Cobton Drive Hove East Sussex