T A L K B A C K

From Paul Beardmore

Madam: Diana Hinds, in her article "Choosing spells homework for parents" (16 February), has omitted one telling criterion which parents can apply.

After lengthy discussions with, or personal visits to, 43 secondary schools in exercising my own right to choose for my own two children, I would urge parents to ask: Do the school's teaching staff overwhelmingly send their own children to the school? Where they do not, inquiries on the subject will usually be met by spurious arguments about favouritism and the distance from home to school. Where they do, the reaction will be one of relief, a wholehearted endorsement of the school, and often an indication that getting a job at such an establishment is just as great an achievement as obtaining a place there for one's child.

Yours faithfully,

PAUL BEARDMORE

London

Please send your letters to the Education Editor, the Independent, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL.