IN the next few months the parents of Trafford children are likely to be asked to decide between the present selective system of education and a comprehensive system as used by neighbouring boroughs.

This is an important question with strong feelings and arguments on both sides - and I am concerned that the anti-selection lobby has produced a series of letters attacking the performance of Trafford schools and colleges.

I can only assume they are working on the principle of 'throw enough mud and some will stick'. Unfortunately they do not quote the sources of the figures and the use of statistics appears to be, at best, 'selective'.

A recent attack on 'A' level results is a good example, suggesting that Trafford does less well than surrounding boroughs. However, the facts taken from Department of Education and Employment performance tables, tell a very different tale.

Trafford's average 'A' level score per entry in 1998 was 5.7 points, which was significantly higher than Stockport, Manchester or Chester.

Our children's education should be above statistical propaganda. The results are available for all to show what an excellent job Trafford's schools and colleges are doing. See for yourself on the web site http://www.dfee.gov.uk.

Christopher Marley, Kensington Gardens, Hale.

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