IN response to Nigel Ayres's comments on scholastic matters (Letters, August 30), I offer mine.

Whatever the examination results, discussions will always take place on the merits of past and present, such is human nature.

Mr Ayres misinformed comments about grammar schools are a different matter. Pupils from "privileged backgrounds" went to public school, not grammar school.

Grammar schools were open to all, regardless of background, the only proviso being that the pupils concerned must have passed the 11-plus exam.

This exam was taken at all state primary schools.

I came from a mining village near Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency and, having passed the 11-plus, went to the local grammar school.

Fewer than ten per cent of pupils there came from homes owned by their parents. More than 90 per cent of pupils came from either National Coal Board-owned houses, or council houses. Not exactly privileged backgrounds.

We did not go there to pick up the odd 'O' level, but to work hard to get somewhere in life. A higher percentage of working class pupils went on to university from grammar schools than has ever been achieved from comprehensives.

Nigel Ayres insults those many hard working, working class pupils who succeeded because of the grammar school system.

His comments show he has no knowledge of his subject.

Colin W Dodsworth,

Bellaby Park,

Nawton, York.

Updated: 11:05 Monday, September 06, 2004