If your editorial of 23 November (“Old dogs, new tricks and hard choices”) had churned out half the tired stereotypes about race and gender that it does about age, TES would be pilloried - and quite rightly so. It is simply lazy journalism to resort to such unsubstantiated generalisations about older teachers, and it is downright embarrassing, if not insulting, to imagine that your readers would share your outmoded and narrow attitudes.

My (older) colleague’s recent production of Richard III was inspiring, her editing of the school magazine meticulous as well as exciting and her chairing of the staff welfare committee generous and (in difficult times) compassionate. I’ve just written to the head recommending her for a pay rise - not retirement.

Yvonne Williams, Isle of Wight.