FEEL I am in a position to reassure Conservative by-election candidate Maria Hutchings concerning her fears for her son’s education in Eastleigh.

I benefited from an excellent state education in Eastleigh and this enabled me to attend one of the top Russell group universities to pursue my passion for science.

In fact, after teaching in state comprehensives for many years, I am now an associate lecturer at a different Russell group university, promoting science amongst gifted and talented youngsters in local state schools.

I would just like to add that our two sons who also went through the state education system achieved triple science firsts at Cambridge and Durham, respectively, before going on to further postgraduate study and highly successful research careers in business.

Whilst recognising there is a broad spectrum of ability amongst our young people and varying levels of parental interest and support, I can honestly say that able children can do well in the state sector.

They also, of course, have the advantage of the social skills acquired by growing up alongside others of all abilities and backgrounds.

SUE GODFREY, Tiverton, Devon.

n IF Maria Hutchings does opt to have her son educated privately because, according to a previous letter writer, she apparently has no belief in state schools, then that’s her choice but no doubt she will be subjected to the usual barrage of left wing nastiness and vitriol.

No Labour or left wing politicians have their children educated privately, then?

Why should we take any notice of Ofsted? Who says Ofsted inspectors are the all-knowing all-wise judges of education and schools?

Just because it makes a subjective assessment of a school, who’s to say it’s right? If it’s run with the same incompetence and pen-pushers as other government departments, we should ignore it.

J McCARTHY, Hedge End.