Thank you for restating the importance of learning theory in education. The four main theories will make good articles for discussion at my next department meeting. I enjoyed reading and writing about learning theories as part of my Teach First teacher training. I was, however, amazed to arrive at my first school and find that PGCE students, older staff and leadership team members had no recollection of Vygotsky, Maslow, Piaget or Skinner. One of the strengths of the Teach First scheme is the alliance of theory and essays through summer training, continuous assessment towards QTS and PGCE in the first year, and the master’s programme with prestigious universities in the second year.

David Scales, Secondary teacher, Birmingham.