Problems shown at school down to parenting

Jayne Dowle is correct in her assessment that the Channel 4 series Educating Yorkshire is certainly educating viewers in the reality of school life (Yorkshire Post, September 12).

But I would like to take her to task on the comment that those parents who send their children to private schools may feel smug when viewing this programme.

I do not feel smug that my son went to a private school (we would not class ourselves as rich) but the school was chosen because it offered a curriculum which suited his ability and interests, whereas the local secondary school was not appropriate.

Also, Tom Richmond in his column refers to the headmaster as an “Action Man sorting out misdemeanours” but surely that is part of his job?

The fact that the first three programmes appear to deal with miscreant pupils and not with the job of teaching them is down to the choice of the programme makers.

I do not know how long the programme will last but up to now it has certainly been 
riveting viewing and my 
opinion is that the problems we are seeing are down to parenting – or lack of it – and there is nothing any teacher or school can do about that, other 
than nurture their pupils 
through their education as best they can.

Jonny Mitchell and his team should be applauded for 
their bravery in agreeing 
to be filmed and so far as his looks are concerned (likened by Jayne Dowle to those of a nightclub bouncer), I would suggest that plays its 
part in handling his difficult pupils.