Not only does England’s proposed national curriculum lack 21st-century skills but its latest revision has been launched without even the traditional 19th- or 20th-century courtesies (“Curriculum lacks 21st-century skills, teachers warn”, 12 July). What other country would launch a consultation exercise on this most important of educational matters at a time of the year when schools have either broken up for the summer or are about to do so, and then give those same schools only a month to respond? The teaching profession is being treated with open contempt by a government that does not believe in dialogue and mutual respect - two qualities much needed in the 21st century. Its proposals need to be vigorously contested and, if that is unsuccessful, equally vigorously subverted from 2014 onwards.

Colin Richards, Spark Bridge, Cumbria.