Are left-handed children penalised?

AS AN eight-year-old, I was rapped over my knuckles by my teacher, a dunce’s cap was put on my head and I was forced to stand in the corner, all because I was writing with my left hand. After my mother went to see the headteacher, I was allowed to write as I wanted. I now do the ironing and knit righthanded, but write with my left. Mrs C. WATSON, Newcastle upon Tyne. I LOVE being left-handed. I do read the newspaper from the back to the front, but that’s because I like sport. In the bad old days, teachers used to force children to write with their right hands because it was thought a left-handed clerk would smudge their paperwork and machines were set up for right-handers.

ALISON HOUSTON, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW was forced to write right-handed and developed a stammer and twitches in his arm and neck. Two of my grandchildren are left-handed. We have bought specialist aids, but have struggled to get the education authority to take this issue seriously. D. B. WILLIS, Swindon, Wilts. WHAT rubbish to describe being left-handed as a disability. It has never stopped me from succeeding. Surely teachers have enough to do without facing extra training to meet the needs of left-handed pupils.

B. MONTY, Woodford Green, Essex. AT THE age of seven, my teacher made me use my right hand by tying my left behind my back. I made such a mess that she showed the whole class what I had done. My two grandchildren are lefthanded and have been allowed to write with their left hand. EILEEN M. HAWORTH, Royston, Herts.