Education worth it

Bob Pixton’s letter (SA 31/12) on the development of new sixth forms in Swindon schools contains a number of statements.

Firstly, the 1983 reorganisation, which led to the careers of many teachers coming to a premature end, did not centralise all sixth form teaching at New College and Swindon College.

Both the Ridgeway and St Joseph’s retained sixth forms, to their considerable benefit in gaining good academic results at all levels, and being able to employ well-qualified staff and offer continuity of teaching.

Secondly, not all secondary schools will develop sixth forms, as this requires central government permission.

Only Lydiard Park and Commonweal (at the second attempt) have so far gained this, the latter being a former grammar school that was stripped of its sixth form 30 years ago.

Thirdly, classes will not necessarily be small, beneficial though this might be educationally, as 17 year olds, and shortly 18 year olds, are now required to remain in education, and some schools may well combine classes, as Lydiard Park and the Ridgeway propose to do.

Mr Pixton’s concern for the taxpayer is especially ironic, as he has more than once advocated council tax rises which most residents would reject.

If one is concerned about the future wellbeing of the country, there is surely no public service more worthy of expenditure than education.

It is surely significant that head teachers, as properly qualified professionals, generally welcome the new arrangements and are taking advantage of them to improve their schools.

The notion that they, together with concerned parents, should have more say, as against bureaucrats and councillors, is essentially sound, and will hopefully lead to marked improvements in the secondary system.

Charles Linfield Bakers Road, Wroughton

Fight child abuse

I would like to say a personal thank you to all of your readers in Wiltshire who have helped support the NSPCC throughout 2013.

Another year that has seen many high-profile child abuse cases and shocking stories of cruelty so severe they’ve resulted in the deaths of innocent children – often at the hands of those who were supposed to protect them.

No one can forget the faces of little Daniel Pelka, Hamzah Khan and Keanu Williams following their tragic deaths.

This is a clear indication that whilst the shocking scale and effect of child abuse have moved centre stage in the public consciousness, still more needs to be done to prevent it from happening in the first place, which is why the NSPCC needs your readers’ continued support.

Many primary school children are suffering abuse and neglect. Yet they can wait months, or even years, before contacting us or getting any kind of help. These are the children you see going to school in the morning, children who live on your street and are part of your community.

Young children who are still learning to read and write, but who can’t find the words to talk about their abuse. Our ground-breaking ChildLine Schools Service uses specially trained volunteers to talk to primary school children about abuse.

Through a series of assemblies and workshops, they will visit every primary school in every community in the UK once every two years to talk to children aged 9-11 about abuse, how to protect themselves, and where to get help if they need it – and they’ll continue to visit each of these schools every two years.

Your support can help us protect many thousands of children from the devastating effects of abuse. Anyone interested in volunteering should visit www.nspcc.org.uk for further information.

In the south west, we have five service centres helping local children and families.

Without your support, our work stops. On behalf of all the children and young people that we are able to help, thank you. Please support us again in 2014 if you can.

To make a donation text HOPE to 70744 to give £4 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk Donna Statham and Kate Felton NSPCC Community Fundraising Managers for Wiltshire

Country betrayed

With a million young people unemployed, I would have expected massive protests from the trade union movement in opposition to any further large scale immigration.

Instead of which, we read that they are actively engaged in recruiting new members from the forthcoming wave of immigrants from Bulgaria and Romania.

Those in this country putting out the welcome mats have much to answer for.

Where are the new leaders from the ranks of young people who should be drumming up support for outright opposition to further large scale immigration?

Our status as a sovereign state no longer exists and the country for which so many of our brethren gave their lives to defend in two world wars has been betrayed beyond all measure.

Frank Avenell Beckhampton Street, Swindon

Why no buses?

I am at a loss to understand why there was no public transport in Swindon on New Year’s Day.

With all the shops being open it would surely have made sense to at least provide a Sunday service.

It also does not make sense that with the campaign to prevent drink driving over the Christmas period, there was no public transport on the day of the year when more people would be hungover / over the limit than any other.

Please can SBC/Thamesdown /Stagecoach come to some arrangement so that next year there is some sort of service?

Simon Hall Redhouse, Swindon

Honours for sale

Despair not if your name failed to appear on the New Year Honours List.

The remedy is simple. Simply withdraw your savings and donate them to those nice Tory Party people now. By the next Honours List you should be in the running. You could also try tithing to them. Failing that, try and take a holiday with the Prime Minister; if you succeed, then you are guaranteed the highest honour!

Steve Nibbs Milton Road, Swindon