Bright but frustrated

tHosE who complain about the ‘cruelty’ involved in raising the level of examinations, and the educational system in general, are apparently unaware of a cruelty involved in the current system, which is aimed at the ‘average’ student.

some years ago, the then chief inspector of Prisons, sir david Ramsbotham, wrote an article, based on his own experiences, pointing to the large number of ‘bright’ teenagers ending up in Young offender institutions, due to the boredom and frustration they experience in a system that refuses to meet their needs, leaving them prone to turn to anti-social behaviour.

As your own paper has reported, there is a strong ‘anti-achievement’ culture in the state system.

A survey a few years ago indicated that the brighter you were, the more likely you were to use ‘recreational’ drugs. the survey’s author said he hadn’t determined the reason for this directly, but that analysis of existing research suggested gifted students faced enough isolation and hostility to justify their turning to drugs as a means of escape.

As a variety of commentators have pointed out, there are no worries about elitism over the idea that pupils with special sporting talent should receive coaching; it is only when it comes to academic ability that the problem arises.

Being the producers of the world’s most intelligent muggers, burglars

and addicts is not a distinction we should be aiming for! Peter davey, Moordown, Bournemouth.