I am writing with reference to the article headlined “Liverpool, lack of good schools deter high fliers” (August 27), which quoted Professor Bill Chambers, pro-vice chancellor of Liverpool Hope University. It is not only insulting to staff, pupils and parents who work in, attend and support Liverpool secondary schools but is also not supported by evidence.

Professor Chambers implies that recruiting staff to Liverpool Hope University is difficult due to a lack of decent schools. A recent report (June 2010) gives Liverpool’s performance profile for secondary schools based on Ofsted inspection grades of good or better as 77 per cent compared with 55 per cent for statistical neighbours and 63 per cent nationally. This year’s GCSE results for Liverpool schools was 53.1 per cent A*-C including English and maths, well above previous years’ results and local authority targets.

Liverpool has an excellent choice of good secondary schools whose headteachers and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure these excellent results. Liverpool secondary heads have also supported Liverpool Hope University over many years, but these comments are not helpful.

Brigid Smith, Chair of Liverpool Association of Secondary Headeachers.