I found this long read (‘Parents are frightened for themselves and for their children’: an inspirational school in impossible times, 6 September) both inspiring and depressing. Inspiring, because of the leadership and pedagogical knowledge and understanding of Sue Vermes and her team – the best of committed and trained professionals. Depressing because of what it tells us about the continuing impact of austerity and not-to-be-contested ideological convictions of governments over the past 12 years, here exemplified by the imposition of phonics. The education story told here is replicated across the spectrum of public sector services. The role of inequality is mentioned, the depressing aspects being its continued presence in the UK and the lack of political acknowledgement – perhaps denial – of its existence and influence.
Much government comment is about what, not why. It’s probably too much to expect that those who voted for the new government and prime minister could be asked to read this piece.
Blaine Stothard
London
