One small note about the obituary for Sandy McDonald (August 13). The first school he taught at was then known as Wellingborough Grammar (it was only renamed The Wrenn School later, after reorganisation). Mr McDonald breezed into sixth-form history teaching like a breath of fresh air. His pastel-coloured socks, his sense of humour, his inclusive tolerance for those who did not play rugby - all combined to produce one of those teachers who still lives in the memory 40 years later. I was one of his first students, and mourn his death.

Kevin Street, Principal education case worker, SWIIS Foster Care, Edgbaston, Birmingham.