Two cheers for David Blunkett (TES, September 15) for being the first to declare that mature and expensive teachers are being forced into retirement to make way for “YECH” (young, enthusiastic and cheap) teachers. I hold a third in reserve for the public condemnation of malpractice in staff “discipline”. I refer to the grotesque misapplication of the charge of “gross misconduct”. This has become common where teachers are unwilling, or simply can’t afford, to take early “retirement” and have to be dislodged by more brutal means.
JOHN CORNELIUS
79 Whyteville Road
London E7