Courtauld A-levels

sir – I’m so pleased that the Courtauld Institute is to be the first gallery to offer free history of art A-level courses to state school pupils (report, July 26).

In the late 1970s my London state grammar offered art history as a component of art A-level, supposedly to make it an “academic” subject and therefore more acceptable for university entrance.

Our excellent teacher had links to the Courtauld and took us to view its treasures – a real privilege as it wasn’t open to the general public at the time. It was one of the best courses I’ve ever taken and it gave me a lifelong ability to appreciate a picture and understand its historical context.

Antigone Theoharris

Frimley Green, Surrey