MARTIN Wright in his letter trots out the perpetual argument against grammar schools, that failure to get into a grammar school means that pupils are disadvantaged.

Does this mean that other schools in the grammar school area are no good,are doing a poor job? I think not.

What has happened is that the pupils who have failed to enter grammar school are not producing results that the schools would like.

To segregate children at 11 into those who want to work and achieve, from those who do not, can hardly be a bad thing.

If a child fails to get into a grammar school surely there is still opportunity for the child to get good results at a comprehensive, provided the child is allowed to work,and not bullied or distracted by those who have no interest in improving themselves?

One of the original theories behind comprehensive education was that there would be multiple streams within the school,and children could be shifted among streams if necessary.

All grammar school selection is doing is providing the top two or three streams.

In the past, there were also opportunities at 12 or 13 to get into a grammar school. I would agree that perhaps 11 is not the best age, but it should be remembered that in the 1950s and 1960s, the last two years in primary schools were dedicated to work for the 11+: - numeracy, English comprehension and grammar, and logical thinking.

Of the 36 of so in my class, all those who were expected to, passed the 11+,and went on to grammar schools, both in,and out of the area. In those days, where you lived did not matter, because everywhere had a grammar school.

My whole point is, that rather than criticising grammar schools, for providing what is essentially a private education without paying fees, the critics should be looking at why the other schools in such areas, are disadvantaging their pupils. I attended a North London grammar school prior to the destruction wreaked by a privately educated Labour minister,and there were no wealthy children there.

Many came from the poorer areas of central London,such as Shepherds' Bush and Notting Hill Gate - yes, post-war these were poor areas.

David Olliver, Altrincham