While hesitating to descend into the increasingly distasteful debate concerning school admissions, I must challenge Mr Dawton's assertions (Letters, October 18).

l Under the proposed arrangements, Copmanthorpe is not linked to Fulford School but to Millthorpe.

l Archbishop Holgate's School is not an unpopular school - a small number of Dunnington and Elvington people are sadly misinformed on this point.

Many discerning, caring parents make it their first choice school, to the extent that this year's Year 7 was over-subscribed.

The school's record for 'adding value' to a child's potential in all areas is excellent. These parents realise that raw league table results do not tell the whole story and look for a school where their child will be able to develop fully in all aspects within a secure, caring context.

This is something we have found at Archbishop's and we are proud that our children attend there.

I believe the council is truly trying to do the best it can in a difficult situation for all the children in York.

No one is going to be entirely happy, but it does seem to be the fairest system when viewed in the larger picture.

Having looked very carefully, and with professional insight, at all the options, we chose to send our children to Archbishop Holgate's School and have never had cause to regret that choice.

This in no way detracts from other excellent schools in the city, and I feel very sorry that such bad feeling has been engendered over the whole issue. It is not a good role model for our children.

Sue Smith,

Millfield Lane, York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.