You write that Graham Lane, chairman of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, “questioned the quality” of our grant-maintained school survey (TES, August 2).
That survey was conducted independently by Research International, one of the most reputable public research organisations.
They achieved an astonishing 68 per cent response rate, an extraordinarily authoritative sample for a survey, given that we are bombarded with “national” opinion polls based on samples of 1,000 or less, the veracity of which is never challenged.
No amount of evidence could persuade Mr Lane that a school run by teachers could organise services better than local authority bureaucrats. The result of his obduracy is a waste of public money and less funds for educating children.
ANDREW TURNER The GM Schools Foundation 36 Great Smith Street London SW1P
