Your article “Closed prep set to save village school” (November 13) does injustice to the idea of public-private sector collaboration. Contrary to the tone of your article, the Cothill Educational Trust, which now owns the Old Malthouse site in Langton Matravers, runs some thriving educational establishments that have provided generous assistance to partners in the state sector for many years. Its offer to help St George’s School far predates moves by the Charity Commission to require independents to justify charitable status. The trust has demonstrated a sincere desire to act in the best interests of all our children, whether privately or publicly educated.

Sarah Painter, St George’s CofE School, Langton Matravers, Dorset.