Readers' letters - August 15

Comp system has failed us
Edward Heath spoke about uniting the nation  yet there followed four years of social divisiveness says a reader. See letterEdward Heath spoke about uniting the nation  yet there followed four years of social divisiveness says a reader. See letter
Edward Heath spoke about uniting the nation  yet there followed four years of social divisiveness says a reader. See letter

In reply to Wayne Chadburn’s letter about grammar schools (WEP Letters August 11).

In the 1960s I attended grammar school, as did many of my friends. I don’t have the exact figures, but I would estimate 60 to 70 per cent of the pupils at the school came from ordinary ‘working-class’ families. As I remember, there was no distinction ever drawn about how ‘well-to-do’ your parents were. Many pupils had fathers who, like my own, worked in the mining industry or at local factories.

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What we did get was a very good standard of education which sadly seems to be lacking in modern comprehensive/academy schools. Most of the pupils who attended local secondary modern schools at least left school with a sound basic education.

The ‘one-size-fits-all’ comprehensive system has clearly failed the modern generation and answers need to found as to why.

I’m all for equality but you don’t see Olympic teams chosen on the basis of equality. Life is not fair and all we can do is to instil into our children the ambition to do their best.

In the past I have voted Labour and may do so again if I think they best represent my views and I also think that public schools are an anathema in our modern society.

But the outright objections to grammar schools is wrong.

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What is wrong with taking the brightest and most able students and pushing them to their full potential?

John Stocks

via email

politics

Reminders 
of Ted Heath

“To govern is to serve – this Government will be at the service of all the people, the whole nation. Our purpose is not to divide but to unite and where there are difficulties to bring about reconciliation”.

So said the Right Honourable Edward Heath before entering Downing Street in June 1970. Remind you of anyone?

There then followed over the next four years a time of continual economic turmoil, industrial disruption, terrorist threats, corruption in high places, social divisiveness and despair in certain quarters, with the occasional declaration of a state of emergency.

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I do hope that 2016 to 2020 does not replicate too closely this particular period of British history.

David Haigh,

Address supplied


environment

Climate of contempt

That the Government should resort to crude bribes in the hope of reducing opposition to hydraulic fracturing conveniently demonstrates its incomprehension of a principled opposition. Perhaps only the Conservative party in Government is prepared to put a price tag on the climate which sustains our planet, on the air we breathe, and on the water we drink.

Clearly its opinion of the ideals and hope which motivate the common man is low.

Do we have the Government we deserve? Surely not.

David Cragg-James

via email

society

Are robots taking over?

I sometimes use self-service tills at supermarkets, usually because there are queues or a lack of people manning the other check-outs. But I often feel a tad guilty. Are robots taking over our jobs and, by going self-service, am I contributing to this?

Jane

via email