Letter: Parents' influence

Sir: Colin Hughes ('If we have to pay for the best, so be it', 29 April) suggests that trends in independent schools act as a useful pointer to the educational demands of parents in general.

The responsiveness of the private sector is one of the reasons I would strongly support it. But I am conscious of another side to the argument: the private option deprives the state system of the direct influence of many of those parents who would be most likely, and most able, to insist on high standards.

The good effects of such influence would surely be to the benefit of the whole nation.

Yours faithfully,

JOHN GRAHAM

Hothfield, Kent

30 April