State supporter

Re the item about me and a recent speech I delivered (The Week in Higher Education, 10 May): guilty as charged. I did spend most of my career in private schools, although it was not for want of trying to teach in state schools, nor for involvement as a governor and in other ways.

But it is not true to say that the speech to which you refer (source: the Daily Mail) was attacking state schools. Rather my concern, as for many years, has been the regime under which they have to labour, which, often for the best of reasons, has narrowed the curriculum, restricts students of the arts, sport and wider enrichment, and has imposed an exam regime that places students and staff under intolerable stress as the only validator of school success.

I have always tried, however inadequately, to support state school students and staff, not least their mental health.

Sir Anthony Seldon
Vice-chancellor
University of Buckingham

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