Robert Smith’s article (FE Focus, May 11) about an ageing Cinderella whose wrinkles are being exposed by the sunlight beaming down on further education projects for me a depressing shadow.

Last Friday night and the one before, my chair of governors and I together with other prinicipal colleagues celebrated the graduation of around 35 colleagues from the First Steps to Leadership programme.

This programme is run in partnership between the Network for Black Managers and the Centre for Excellence in Leadership. These splendid people are put through an exacting programme, including developing insights into the policy contect which Mr Smith rehearses in his article.

They emerged from the programme excited and determined about the future and the contribution they will make to it, on behalf of students.

Mr Smith wonders about the future sources of energy. I don’t think he’ll have to look very far for it.

Richard Chambers Principal, Lambeth College