I would like to add to the debate on initial teacher training (ITT) following Geoff Fenwick’s letter about the government’s use of the phrase “teacher training colleges” (“Our past becomes present”, 29 June). My own college, C.F. Mott, was one of four leading colleges providing ITT to graduate level in special educational needs from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s, until the government decided that ITT would be the same for all new entrants to the profession. There have been many attempts since to provide postgraduate specialist training but, in my view, ad hoc provision cannot better a good grounding in special education issues, methods and approaches given by three years at undergraduate level.

Barrie Kemp, Teacher, Home Counties.