Letter: Middle schools

There is not likely to be any more money to create middle schools as Allan Massie suggested (Perspective, 25 May) than there was when the idea was rejected for lack of funds back in the early 1990s.

But what is the problem? The children entering S1 revel in the change from being in one classroom with the same teacher and the same classmates since P1 to having ten different classrooms with ten-plus teachers and a fresh bunch of classmates from other schools.

But those who are likely to cope better with the loss of structure, supervision and security are the more confident and mature and those from stable and education-oriented families.

So it is bad luck for boys and more bad luck for those from disadvantaged families. Given that there is no money for a total restructuring, head teachers should be given the encouragement and freedom to create as stable and controlled an environment for their S1 and S2 as their accommodation and resources permit.

David R Hill

Relugas

Edinburgh