YOUR article, “Teachers in protest over schools moves” (Echo, July 20), makes interesting reading. We in Spennymoor were promised one of these “academies” under the previous government. We feel let down by the decision to cut back on this and other vital projects.

I would like to point out, however, that despite what some may think, glossy new academies do not raise results. Teachers fiddling coursework and spoon-feeding kids does.

It is not academies we need, but a complete overhaul of the National Curriculum which allows some teachers the opportunity to make our children feel ashamed of who they are while turning them into softies with no sense of pride.

Many teachers should hang their heads in shame for allowing this to happen. They should attempt to see the problems they are creating, while being forced to “raise” grades to meet unrealistic goals that constantly change.

Adam Walker, County Durham Organiser, British National Party