HOW wonderful to read about the success of the Worcester Education Achievement Zone which has operated in part of the city for the last three years.

Although the Government turned down Worcestershire's plans for a Statutory Education Action Zone, it is pleasing to see the county council did not give up.

The Zone's success is due to teachers, parents, pupils and other partners who have made it work.

Hopefully, the success will now be shared amongst the rest of the county's schools.

Your report suggested that Michael Foster was part of the success story.

The role of the Labour Government and the Department for Education and Skills where Mr Foster has a role, do not stand up to scrutiny.

By turning down Worcestershire County Council's bid for a Statutory Education Action Zone, the Department for Education and Skills denied the county council access to over £3.5m of extra funding.

Financing for the Education Achievement Zone had to come from money designated for all other Worcestershire schools, which as your readers will be well aware has been kept unfairly low by the Government's outdated funding formula.

Once again this Government, aided by Mr Foster, imposed a double blow on your children and grandchildren.

No extra money for schools, and levels of basic funding kept unfairly low.

PAUL MIDDLEBOROUGH,

Norton,

Worcester.