Your editorial and cover story made for depressing reading (”`Climate of fear’ eats the soul”, 23 March). No one should be surprised that the government is determinedly “rubbishing” state schools, since this is standard behaviour in which Conservative governments have long indulged as the preamble to privatising a public service. We are being “softened up” so that we will believe the propaganda and accept privatisation.

Heads must defend vigorously, proudly and loudly the service they develop so well. If they don’t take that lead, who else will?

Linda Heaven-Woolley, Retired secondary headteacher, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.