As I reached the end of the article I became very dismayed. I was absolutely appalled with the criticism he had received from the German Embassy. Had this not been the man who had inspired me during my college years to become a maths teacher myself?

I left the Mountbatten school in 2000 and am currently studying to become a maths teacher. My course has led me to realise just how much effort Mr Ransom put into his lesson plans. I hope to be just as imaginative with my teaching as he is.

Whenever he taught a lesson in role, such as one I vividly remember where he was a 16th-century navigator, teaching us about the geometry behind the mathematical instruments which he crafted himself, the whole class would be gripped by his wonderful performance. I can honestly say I can remember exactly the object of that lesson, which shows Mr Ransom’s rare talent as an outstanding teacher.

I also admire his effort to make cross-curricular links in his lessons. If he is to be warned against his Dambuster format should we revise the national curriculum for history?

The most upsetting aspect of this article was that I felt Mr Ransom had not received just praise for his clear dedication and love of his job. I aspire to be at least as inspiring as Mr Ransom but what kind of message has this left me as a trainee teacher?

I know my career will be rewarding; I want to stir children’s curiosity, excite them and watch them develop into young mathematicians themselves, but I wonder whether my work will ever get the recognition that any hard-working teacher deserves.

I do not believe that this article was the most appropriate manner in which to encourage people to enter the profession as maths teachers, for whom the country is in great need, and I have been very disheartened by it.

Mrs M Shiers

Flat 2 Regent House

Cheltenham Gardens

Hedge End, Southampton