In the classroom
Sir: Paul Griffin condemns himself by his article on comprehensive education. If a mature male human being is willing to allow fifteenand sixteen-year-olds to behave as those in his (small) class did, then out of self-respect he ought not to publidse the fact Surely, as a former headmaster, he could have imposed some personal authority? An experienced teacher should not have to pass problems to others, nor should he have to rely on school rules rather than on his own resources. I imagine, also, that Mr Griffin has given an unfair impression of his school, pandering to the prejudices of those who believe that all classes in comprehensive schools are like the one described. On the contrary the majority of children in the school will be receiving a satisfactory education. Of course there are faults in comprehensive education, of trendiness, of change for the sake of change, for example. RSLA — imposed by the government with quite inadequate financial support — is perhaps the greatest problem. It is certainly difficult to teach the type of children described, but sloppy administration and classroom management, exemplified by Mr Griffin's attitude, have exacerbated it beyond all need.
Brian Johnson 12 Lime Grove, Royton, Oldham, Lanes
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