The Spectator

Letters | 25 February 2016

Plus: John Paul II’s loving friendships; US and EU; the fall of Rhodesia; Eddie the Eagle; and shooting thrush

issue 27 February 2016

In defence of the heads

Sir: It is fair for Ysenda Maxtone Graham to criticise heads who garner publicity but neglect the core business of good teaching, if such people exist (‘Big heads’, 20 February). However, targeting Anthony Seldon and Richard Cairns was a mistake.

Although both may be what my wife calls ‘media tarts’, Seldon saved two schools which were in great financial difficulties by hugely increasing the number of applicants and Brighton College under Cairns has maintained its trajectory to the upper reaches of the league tables, becoming one of the largest independent schools in the country in the process.

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