I regret the effect on health and careers of many primary schoolteachers, as they struggled, against their better judgment, to plan, teach and assess all 10 subjects, and were made to feel guilty, if they did not manage to spend the correct percentage of time on a certain subject. I am saddened to think of the many primary schoolchildren who may not have had enough time to develop their numeracy and literacy skills to an adequate level.

I regret the enormous waste of time, money and resources spent on ensuring that every primary teacher had an array of 10 coloured folders to battle with in order to attempt to teach the impossible curriculum. I wonder where these folders are now?

I recall many conversations with experienced colleagues about the inevitable effects on numeracy and literacy, if the primary curriculum was so overcrowded. I regret that the teaching profession still does not have a central professional body, which could have dared to voice such opinions in a cohesive way. I am all for a broad and balanced curriculum, but let individual primary schools decide this balance.

SUE HIORNS

The Lilacs 7 Church Street Harlaxton Grantham Lincolnshire