J Harris responded to my plea for explanation as to how the chief inspector and the Office for Standards in Education could deem to be excellent grammar schools where only 95 per cent achieved five GCSE A-C (TES, March 8). He gave several explanations why students capable of the A-C benchmark might fail.
Thanks. I now understand that OFSTED interprets numerical criteria (100 per cent at grammar school should get five A-C) in light of circumstances. Every circumstance J Harris cites (illness, recent arrival in catchment area or country, family trauma) is many times more likely to apply in an urban comprehensive school. If OFSTED is proportionate, and therefore fair, in its view of urban comprehensive schools, what multiple of 5 per cent is applied?
JOHN HULL 2 Beechwood Grove Shipley
