Hove Park works hard to support every student’s learning, and collaborates with other agencies to do this. In this case, the student took part in a “managed move” to Falmer school, under an arrangement which has been working successfully in Brighton Hove for several years. He was not in trouble, but we all felt he would make better progress if he had a fresh start at a new school. This has proved to be the case. Far from being close to permanent exclusion as your story suggests, he has become a respected member of the School Council.

Neither of us wishes to belittle the work of Fun in Action with our young people, and it has undoubtedly made a difference to this student. But we work in partnership, not competition.

We are not monolithic, uncaring institutions - we seek to offer personalised approaches and are happy to explore novel ways of supporting students.

Sadly, your piece did not convey that spirit of partnership, and thus misrepresented both our schools. It also failed to convey the positive spirit of collaboration between agencies which we enjoy in Brighton Hove as a pathfinder Children’s Trust.

Tim Barclay

Head, Hove Park school

Nevill Road, Hove

Stuart McLaughlin

Head, Falmer school

Lewes Road

Brighton