Hurworth School

Schools provide an "educational package". Hurworth offers a system that works and enables kids to maximise their abilities. Its ethos makes learning an accepted norm of school life. That ethos must be protected.

However, there should always a process for considering exceptions and sanctions should always be proportionate. If a child performs exceptionally then the school merits much credit.

I worry about the motives of seeking publicity that identifies individuals to the apparent detriment of their health. That said, parents must have a choice.

The system, ethos and practices at Hurworth are not hidden and the after-school tuition is as much an integral part of school life - just as much as other out-of-school activities, including the prom.

Parents should have a choice, but school is not a pick n' mix shop. It provides a "package". If a parent does not want the package offered by a school then, quite rightly, they should be free to choose another school, in this case one that does not demand attendance for after-school tuition. That would provide access to Hurworth for another pupil who does want the school's package.

Martin Phillips, Sadberge.

WHILE sympathising with pupil Kayleigh Baker and her parents, I presume they knew the school rules.

However, one wonders at a school that demands extra hours per week as the norm. What is lacking in the regular hours that requires this ruling?

One thing that the pupils are certainly learning is how to bully as it seems that the only thing missing from Kayleigh's punishment is life imprisonment. I have seldom heard such petty spite directed at one child for daring to disagree with what to her, as a model student, was an unreasonable demand. She gives her all, anyway, in the normal hours demanded by education authorities.

Nor have I witnessed a more arrogant statement than that from the chief executive Eamonn Farrar: "We know what is best for the children."

Is all this stressful extra education really for the benefit of the pupils or merely for the kudos of the head and the governors?

Shelagh Harnby, Stockton.

AS a retired senior teacher I was appalled to read of the treatment of Kayleigh Baker by senior staff at Hurworth School. Mr Farrar and headteacher Dean Judson seem to have lost sight of the principles behind education. Their actions would not seem to be based on the importance of the individual pupil, nor likely to instil a love of learning, and in the workplace would surely lead to claims of bullying.

How can out of school activities be "entirely voluntary", as the Department for Education and Skills says, but "compulsory" at Hurworth?

Some pupils who have been excluded for bad behaviour have been allowed to go to the school prom; Kayleigh has been banned.

Presumably Hurworth's rules don't include rules on behaviour - or are the rules not applied equitably? I understood that school trips' should be of educational value, and contribute to the curriculum, and not just days out, so should not be denied.

If, as Mr Judson says, "most parents are grateful for the extra classes" why is it necessary to resort to what I regard as bullying to make a girl who does not appear to require such classes attend them?

Michael Rudd, Darlington.

EDUCATION authorities always say they do their best to stamp out bullying at school, however reading the report about Kayleigh Baker being forced to attend extra revision classes left me wondering who the real bullies are.

Perhaps the authorities should concentrate on stamping out behaviour by chief executives like Eamonn Farrar and headteachers like Dean Judson, who are obviously more concerned about these ridiculous school league tables than they are about the welfare of the pupils, or they would not forcing their pupils to attend extra revision classes which cause some pupils unnecessary stress.

Perhaps it is time these league tables were scrapped if they are causing schools to treat pupils in this way.

David Lowdon, Crook.

THE case of Kayleigh Baker is a sad one, and I am sure it could and should have been handled better by all sides.

However I cannot believe the extent of the coverage it is receiving. Hurworth was recently named North-East School of the Year, and Dean Judson, Headteacher of the Year, a very proud moment for all associated with the school, but where were your front page pictures then?

Hurworth School has proved itself year on year as the most consistent top performer in the borough, and yet it is being undermined by the regrettable experiences of one family.

It would appear that there are certain factions in the borough who, for whatever reason, are all too keen to exploit this unfortunate episode.

No school is perfect and I am sure there are some hard lessons to be learned, but this issue at Hurworth pales into insignificance compared to the ongoing failure of so many of our young people in certain other Darlington schools.

Carolynne Marshall, Hurworth.

SO Kayleigh isn't to be allowed to go to the school prom (another Americanism, along with counselling and suing anybody for anything and numerous others things adopted by this copy cat country). Why don't Kayleigh's mates threaten to boycott it?

John Reynolds, Eldon.