It is a shame that the front-page article on the increase in enquiries about careers in further education (FE Focus, December 5) was used to make unwarranted criticisms of college management.

The article stated that the 2007-08 Ofsted report found that almost a quarter of colleges had inadequate or only satisfactory leadership and management. In fact, the Ofsted report found that over three-quarters of leadership and management in colleges was good or outstanding and that only 6 per cent was unsatisfactory.

Further reading of the Ofsted report shows that FE compares more than favourably with the findings for effectiveness for schools as well as with the outcomes for work-based learning providers.

My association welcomes the surge in numbers of people seeking careers in further education and agrees that bringing in people from outside the sector can be a breath of fresh air. However, it shouldn’t be used as an excuse to criticise unfairly existing dedicated and hard-working college leaders and managers.

Peter Pendle, Chief executive and general secretary, Association for College ManagementAssociation of Managers in Education.