I WAS invited to The Golden Globe Awards at Oaklands School. It was a lovely experience.

The Golden Globes were given to young people for such things as "always having a lovely smile", "working hard on a piece of written work" and "being kind to others".

After reading the heartbreaking story about Joe Johnson (December 16), I felt it appropriate to tell you that the lovely youngsters I met were members of the Oakland Dyslexia Club.

I talked to another parent that night who said her young son had also being bullied since starting in September and "hated" coming to school because of these "mindless uneducated thugs" who often make these young peoples' lives a misery.

What right have they to be so personal and insulting to these young people?

It is about time that they were "specially educated" to respect other people, no matter what their difficulties are.

Maybe these young thugs should be accompanied by teachers around school at their break-time to ensure those being bullied are safe. Being followed around by a teacher wouldn't do much for their "street-cred".

A young person who is kind and thoughtful to others will grow into a kind, considerate and employable adult.

Good luck to Mrs Winstanley and her team at Oaklands, and thank you for a job well done.

Anthea Dykes,

Walker Drive,

Foxwood Lane,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:42 Thursday, December 23, 2004