C.G. Fields’ attack on Brian Boyd (“Time to get real on setting”, 12 October) is shocking. Pure diatribe! Mixed-ability teaching does work and the idea that setting ensures that the syllabus meets the needs of the individual pupil is simplistic, lazy and ill-informed. Brian Boyd is and was the kind of practitioner to be able to allow bright pupils to reinforce their learning by allowing them to be peer tutors. C. G. is the one who is locked inside his head. He is the joke.
Peter Reid, headteacher, Broxburn Academy.