The answers to your question, “How science can pass the teaching acid test - what must be included and why?” (October 8) all have merit and demonstrate an overall consensus. It was disappointing, however, to see once again a piece without any contribution by the real “experts”: the children.

In September the Wellcome Trust published a report on children’s and parents’ attitudes to assessment in science at key stage 2. This unique study, carried out by Queen’s University Belfast, involved children as active members of the research team and their contribution provided real insights to the assessment and testing regime they had experienced.

Professor Derek Bell, Head of education, Wellcome Trust, London.