Choosing schools

It is time some honesty was injected into the debate about high decile schools and their rating in the public mind. Many parents wish their children to attend high decile schools for the same reason they want to buy European cars — middle class status anxiety. Despite any evidence to the contrary, they will continue to believe that one is better than the other.

This belief becomes selfperpetuating, as children of aspirational parents interact with those of similar backgrounds.

Most schools offer the same curriculum as others and have the same cross- section of teachers. As has so often been stated, 70 per cent of student success is engendered outside the school anyway. Replace the decile system and another “ranking” system will take its place. Peter Smith, Devonport.