Twenty years ago I worked for a head who always remembered the importance of showing appreciation. If you were involved in a school activity, there was a letter from him thanking you. Moreover, these were no “round robin” general letters; ech was personal and relevant to the recipient.

Would that David Blunkett, the Department for Education and Employment, the Office for Standards in Education et al could recognise what my ex-head knew: people need to be given hope and self-esteem if they are to work with a will.

Judith Bennett

Langley Road

Chalgrove, Oxford