I REFER to the article “Numeracy and class size shortfall”, (TES, March 12) which failed to acknowledge authorities already working in partnership with the private and voluntary sector to provide pre-five education. Leicestershire is one of these.
The education authority cohort of pre-fives in maintained provision is matched by a slightly larger cohort located in sessional, full day, independent and social services provision supported by government funding. This is in line with this Government’s principles of partnership working.
My comments demonstrate how unexplained statistics can give a misleading picture of what is actually happening.
A telephone call to Leicestershire before finalising the article would have revealed the true situation.
Jackie Strong
Director of education
Leicestershire County Council
