Schooled for success

sir – I attended Richard Fairclough Secondary Modern (Letters, October 3) in Warrington in the 1950s. We received a sound education and strict discipline, which enabled many pupils to become highly skilled tradesmen in several fields, from construction and engineering to the nuclear industry.

We also had access to night school, which was the secret weapon of the working classes and facilitated progress. Many of my peers became business owners, and well-to-do as a result. I started in business at 18 and worked for myself until I retired.

I was pleased to read that Peter J Newton managed to get a university place, but I can assure him it is not the only avenue to success. None of the children I grew up with went to university – but all had successful careers and contributed to the wellbeing of the country.

Desmond Wilcox

Warrington, Cheshire

sir – I failed my 11-plus and went to an extraordinary secondary modern. It had a farm, metalwork shops, pottery kilns and huge playing fields, and also taught the standard curriculum. My CSES and more modest number of GCES didn’t hold me back – as my jobs as board director with a Japanese multinational and CEO of an industry body show.

The lively teaching and the breadth of pupils made for a very enjoyable six years, and friendships still endure. Ian Dickens

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

sir – Aged 11 I visited a local grammar school, a grand ivy-covered Georgian building surrounded by playing fields, tennis courts and gardens, with a Greek theatre. I also visited a secondary modern, a bleak 1950s-built functional block with an asphalt playground and railings surrounding it. To me it looked like a prison. My utter terror that I might have to go there caused me to fail the 11-plus the first time, and I had to resit. Bring back grammar schools by all means, but the alternatives must not scream “second best”.

Mary Southgate

South Hanningfield, Essex