Dear Mrs Smith

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

This is the note that my Mum received from the family of one of her students. I said in my article about private and state education yesterday that I would let everyone see it.

Although she does work very hard, this letter – one of many she received – is not just about my Mum. It is about all the teachers in her school and every other school I’ve been in that makes them thoughtful and inspiring places in which to grow up.

The school is a “bog-standard” state primary school. Ofsted’s report this year said:

“It is much bigger than most primary schools. Most pupils live some distance from the school. A large majority of the pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds and speak English as an additional language. The largest group of these pupils are Kosovan, and their first language is Albanian. Over 140 pupils are refugees or asylum seekers. The proportion of pupils who have learning difficulties is well above the national average. The school has an exceptionally high turnover of pupils. The Early Years Foundation Stage consists of a Nursery, which children attend on a full-time basis, and two Reception classes. The school has gained the Healthy School Award and Sports Activemark.”

The rating the school has had for as long as I can remember? Outstanding.

This is more proof for Heather McGregor that her children will be well educated and well cared for in the state sector.

Dear Mrs Smith,

We wanted to make known to you our deep gratitude for all you have done for Natalie this last year. It has been marvellous to watch her grow in confidence and maturity in a school she loved from day one. You are certainly well assisted, but you set the tone of the clasroom and I only wish you could see Natalie doing her impersonation of you, asking us what we would like to do and telling us not not to speak all together. You have been an inspiration to her, quite literally, and for that we can scarcely express sufficient thanks.

—

(I’ve changed the name of the little girl).