I WAS amused, but not surprised, when the vice-chairman of governors at Polam Hall School said that the difficult economic situation has played a part in the decision to apply for free school status (Echo, Oct 9).

Get real, this is an opportunity to run the school on the cheap because it is no longer in profit.

Having worked for Durham county education authority for 45 years as a teacher and headteacher, I was proud to work in the state system and of what we achieved.

Private schools must exist on their merits not on handouts from the state.

In my opinion, and that of the great majority of teachers, Michael Gove is the worst Minister of Education in living memory.

He is determined to ruin our once proud system of education, fragmenting it by introducing free schools and academies and running down the status of teachers.

If Polam Hall is accepted for free school status it would affect other schools in Darlington in a number of ways – taking funds away from them and encouraging some parents to take their children to Polam Hall rather than their local school.

The money invested in Polam would be better used in the state schools in Darlington.

I agree with Simon Kennedy, of the NASUWT, that “the free school model is becoming a refuge for struggling private schools” of which Polam Hall is one.

However, I hold no great hopes of Polam Hall’s application being turned down just sadness at what this Government is doing through Mr Gove.

Bill McInnes, Bishop Auckland.

REGARDING the recent letter from Alex Hirst, manager of the Distinct Darlington Business Improvement District (Bid).

She says the majority of the town centre businesses voted for the scheme.

This is untrue. There were 530 businesses in the Darlington Bid area sent voting forms.

Only 215 (39 per cent) returned their ballot papers – 61 per cent (the true majority) didn’t vote at all. Of the 215 returned papers 113 businesses voted in favour and 102 businesses voted against.

The Distinct Darlington Bid was set up to be an innovative organisation promoting Darlington, yet all it has done is to take over existing schemes run by the council such as Darlington by the sea and the famous loss-making winter ice rink. At the same time, Darlington Council has made the town centre manager redundant.

I see nothing innovative being launched, no new schemes, ideas or attractions that aren’t dated and unsuccessful.

I see the rangers out and about but wonder why they apparently can’t walk the town centre alone but need to walk around in pairs.

If you look at the number of empty shops it is obvious that business rates and the rents are already too high. Further taxation at this time is ludicrous.

I challenge the board to go to the traders and ask them to vote again to see whether or not this scheme is required and or wanted.

For my own part, I wonder why I was charged court fees and bailiff fees for daring to stand up and be counted as someone who did not want this scheme when others have not been charged.

Malcolm Royal, It’s All About The Bag, Darlington.