Rachel Wolf writes convincingly of the transformation of free schools from “damp squibs” to a powerful reality of 24 free schools already open, more than 70 in the pipeline and hundreds more in the wings for 2013 (“Free schools signal a real revolution”, 17 February).

That is all well and good but the secretary of state’s obsession with opening free schools rapidly prevents the expertise and experience of the New Schools Network and other such organisations from having a serious influence.

At my school, we are waiting to hear whether a free school will be built on the other side of our fence. We are having the real revolution in our corridors and classrooms and many of our formidable staff come from a Teach First background. They have, however, chosen to stay and lead the revolution from within.

Mariella Wilson, Assistant headteacher, Feltham Community College.