It would be interesting to know the reasons why two comprehensive high schools in Croydon Selhurst and Addington appear in the national performance tables for this year as the poorest performers for GCSE results.

Selhurst fell from 22 per cent to 12 per cent and Addington did even worse in falling from 22 per cent to 10 per cent.

Harris College fiercely

opposed by the then Labour Opposition at the time it was set up heads the national list as the most improved school, and together with Coloma is now one of the best-performing comprehensives.

Sadly, if the performance of independent and fee-paying schools is discounted, Croydon does not show up well in the national list showing the performance of local education authorities.

In looking for solutions is Croydon Council's thinking shackled by outmoded educational and political dogma? Our youngsters deserve a better deal!

Eric Kings

Ross Road, South Norwood

November 28, 2001 16:00