* While the views expressed by Hilary French (TES, January 2) are commonly heard from those using or working in the private education sector, they simply do not stand up to scrutiny.
Many workers in Britain, such as those on the minimum wage or many NHS employees, do not have income levels that allow them to choose between independent schools or “new cars and holidays”. It is unbelievably insulting to imply that these parents have any less interest in their children’s education.
Surely one sign of a civilised society is that achievement should reflect ability and effort, rather than the income of your parents?
Tim Cullinan
57 Burnley Road
Edenfield, Lancashire
