Will Andy Burnham’s plan to retool education work?

‘Andy Burnham’s desire to revive vocational education … has no chance of long-term fulfilment without a complete overhaul of the 14-19 curriculum.’ Photograph: Janine Wiedel Photolibrary/Alamy

I find the debate about the purported conflict between academic and technical education baffling and somewhat amusing (Burnham to tell schools in England to adapt teaching to local business needs, 28 July).

In the 1950s, I attended Northampton technical high school. I studied the sciences plus English, French and technical (engineering) drawing to GCE level. I also did hands-on workshops in woodwork, metalwork and leatherwork (Northampton being a traditional shoemaking town). At A-level, I passed physics, chemistry and double maths, and studied physics at Leeds University. I also sang in choirs.