I was interested to read your cover story on 20 July. As the principal of a college for international students wanting to study A levels in England to prepare them for study at British universities, I see the respect and value that students and their parents have for our education system, and in particular A levels.

What attracts students to our education system is how well it prepares them to go on to succeed in higher education. Unlike many other systems, at A level we expect students to become independent and critical thinkers, encouraging students to select fewer subjects to allow for in-depth study. We should stop and look at why our qualifications are valued so highly abroad.

Julia Southby, Principal, Bellerbys College, Oxford.