I refer to the letter (TES, December 5) in which A Charnock believes GNVQ information and communication technology to be the key reason for improving results at Walker technology college. While the efforts of the ICT teachers must be praised I feel I must point out that at Walker in Newcastle, a whole raft of raising standards strategies has contributed to the school’s success. I was privileged to be able to take a team of teachers to the college in June this year to research their success with similar students to ours and found that a whole ethos of achievement for all and high expectations pervaded every aspect of school life. They were excellent hosts keen to share the reasons for their success and their standards-raising strategies, some of which we are piloting in our school and which I am confident will benefit our students present and future. Well done to Dr Tony Broady and his team for their impressive achievements Pam Campbell Deputy headteacher The Hathershaw technology college Bellfield Avenue Oldham