Your article about the Starting Out programme (“Mentor plan aims to stop maths and science teachers from quitting”, August 20) slightly overstated the position. The programme began last year and operates in three regions. There has been no decision on a national roll-out, certainly not next month, as the pilot is to last until 2011. The only change is the opening of another 200 places, now totalling 800. One-to-one mentoring is one of the options offered under the pilot, but is not available to all participants. Other models are also being trialled.

Warren Turner, Head of priority subjects, Training and Development Agency for Schools.