IN response to Cllr Eadie, it is worth considering that since comprehensive schools began to be well established 30 years ago - covering 90 per cent of England by 1980 - the proportion of students achieving two 'A' levels has more than doubled and the percentage entering higher education almost trebled.

The dispute about the Trafford percentage obtaining five good GCSE's ignores the fact that, in respect of the average score for all 16-year-olds, Trafford comes only 27th and not 11th, reflecting very modest results for the majority.

But the real crunch comes when we consider how these teenagers perform at 'A' levels when compared to those in neighbouring areas of similar or lower social standing - all with comprehensive systems.

Stockport, Cheshire (including Warrington and Halton), Sefton, St Helens, Wirral and Oldham all have a higher percentage of 17-year-olds participating in education in schools and a greater number obtaining two 'A' levels.

So what about the 300 or 400 losing out every year in Trafford?

Frank Bamford, Malvern Drive, Altrincham.

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