Regrettably, many local authorities have retained sixth forms. Often these focus on AS/A-levels so students following these courses remain at school while those wanting other courses have to leave and attend a further education college.

The last thing needed is for 14-year-olds to be similarly split into academic school pupils and non-academic technical college students.

There is, though, a case for college education for all teenagers. I have argued that schooling should cease at 14, but education should continue in neighbourhood colleges until 19. Such colleges would make as efficient use of resources as technical colleges. But unlike technical colleges, they would cater for all types of teenager. Consequently, they would have to offer a very wide range of courses.

As colleges, they would have a distinctive and attractive ethos. There would be few rules and regulations, so there would be few punishments and these rarely used, and scant use of rewards.

It would be enough, from time to time, for students to experience the pleasure of a piece of work done really well. Sometimes, teachers would not direct students, but would join them in a common activity.

Though there would be a concern to transmit knowledge and skills, and promote understanding, students would be allowed to try things out and even to fail. For, above all, these colleges must be agents for the growth of students' self-education and self-responsibility.


Short-trip motorists should get on their bikes


From: JM Purves, Crossways, York.

AS a resident of York for more than 40 years, I am tired of whinging motorists demanding more and more hugely expensive solutions to their selfish desires for speedy access everywhere.

Firstly, the A64 Southern Bypass was going to solve everything. Then the Northern Bypass would do the trick. Now adding two more lanes to the latter or fixing a roundabout at enormous expense is required to prevent gridlock. Rubbish.

When I first attended school, more than 70 years ago, no child was driven there. Some walked up to four miles to get there, with their boots tied around their necks to save wear.

Without demeaning the problems of the relatively poor today, they are as like millionaires to the poor of those days. Everyone lived in dreadfully cold houses, not the tropically heated homes and workplaces of today.

Few were fat, all fell victim to measles, mumps, chickenpox and many diseases, some fatal that, fortunately, have now been virtually eliminated.

Now that the summer holidays are here, we are spared the totally unnecessary school run that typically involves journeys of less than two miles, and robs even the youngest children of a health-giving walk to and from school.

It is a scandal that up to 60 per cent of the mainly single-occupant car commuters drive less than four miles to work in York, some driving huge 4x4 vehicles, entirely unsuited to the narrow streets of an ancient city.

Walking four miles on flat terrain is no sweat. Cycling four miles should comfortably take about 30 minutes, without encountering too many traffic snarl-ups.

I go out cycling every day and meet many cycling commuters, some professional, including a professor and a lawyer who cycle each day to work.

I also sometimes pass my doctor cycling to or from his surgery and have met my dentist out cycling with his family. One commuting cyclist comes from Tadcaster, another from the Sherburn area, others from Rufforth, Copmanthorpe and other surrounding villages. More would cycle if safe facilities were provided and motorists were made totally responsible for their safety as happens elsewhere.

The modern commuting cycle can cope in all conditions and with its waterproof carrying bags, can safely accommodate laptops, files and rainwear.

It is time that all these unhealthy, overweight motoring whingers took control of themselves and stopped doing silly little journeys, that cost the earth, clog up our streets and ruin the environment.


Luxury lifestyle of royals proves too much

From: LF Boyle, Hopperton, Knaresborough.

I'M so pleased that Kate Middleton and Prince William enjoyed their third extended holiday of this year (in Mustique) and then displayed their tans at the Chelsea night club which they left at 3.45am.

So inspiring for the rest of us who need to work for a living and can't afford even one holiday a year.

So encouraging for us Commoners who are pre-occupied with the tiresome tasks of keeping a roof over our heads, heating the home and at the same time feeding the family.

How much longer are we prepared to indulge these luxury lifestyles? Wake up Britons, we can't afford them!