SIR – I have read with great interest the excellent reporting by Catherine Phillips on the petition relating to Fairfield Community Primary School’s actions to try and improve their attendance record.
One can understand the school’s reaction to the demands from Ofsted inspectors; they are indeed caught between a hard rock and a stone. What else could they do in such circumstances?
Nevertheless, what they have been forced to do is fundamentally wrong and Miss Ramage’s motives are totally understandable. Why is our education system in such a mess?
The answer is quite simple. The school has no way of distinguishing between genuine illness absences and children who just don’t fancy going to school one day and play truant. This very important area was once the responsibility of the school attendance officer who worked in close collaboration with the school heads to investigate school absences, distinguish between the genuine  and the truancy absences and, if necessary, initiate legal action against those who were truants. 
Of course cutbacks have rendered these positions redundant and that is why the schools are in such a mess. Absentee statistics are totally misleading and the action schools take are so cruel against the innocent children who are absent ill. 
The Ofsted inspection system should be forced to re-instate these inspectors so that they can get more reliable statistics and contribute to improving the attendance records of those schools which they inspect instead of blandly handing out unreasonable criticisms.
Neil Humphries
Worcester

Europe worth working for
SIR – The Green Party is wholeheartedly committed to Britain staying in Europe.
Neighbours working together are better able to maintain peace, ensure the wellbeing of citizens, and protect our environment. 
But our vision of Europe is different. Greens are fighting for reforms to give people more say in decision-making, limit the power of corporations, and improve transparency.
Since 2009, the Lisbon Treaty has increased the powers of the European Parliament. MEPs can now block unacceptable trade deals such as TTIP (the controversial EU-US agreement that threatens democracy, public health and the environment). MEPs can refuse budgetary sign-off. Previously secret meetings of the European Council are now webcast. And the European Commission recently agreed to register meetings with lobbyists.
 There is still further to go, but it would be wrong to think the EU cannot change, or that we are powerless to make a difference. A better Europe is within our grasp and worth working for.
Matthew Jenkins
Worcester Green Party


Salt, vinegar, sauce, salad?
SIR – Once upon a time the local “chippy” just served fish and chips and the only question asked was “salt and vinegar?”.
Over the years things evolved with the arrival of the pie, battered sausage and curry sauce all of which I have partaken of over the course of time.
Unfortunately the kebab has now reared its ugly head and with it, making the queue even longer, is that modern phenomenon “kebab man/woman” who have to have a long question and answer session
with the staff behind the counter as to what dressings and additions they want with their kebab(s). 
Still not as yet bad as the chap who used to be in front of you with an order for him and 20 odd mates working the late shift at the local factory.
Maurice Francis
Worcester